10 10 HARU'S HEART

Renji reversed his position and made the idle thigh a pillow. Haru thought he would babble again like a bird, but it turned out to be closed without caring.

"Hey, Ren... your soup can get cold at this," Haru said. He shook Renji's shoulder. "I prepared it before you came home, but it's just not good."

"Noisy," said Renji. "You'd better work out how to arrange the contract."

"What?" shocked Haru. "You mean a collaboration with Yuki?"

Haru knows too well how to tease him. Unable to take it anymore, Renji opened his eyes and cursed.

"Yuki that licker," he said. With eyes full of unbreakable anger. "Don't let him come near me no matter what happens at the company."

"But then-"

"Just do what I say. If they don't accept it, pay the contract ransom directly," said Renji. "That's still better than dirtying my work."

"D-Defiled?" shocked Haru. He was used to Renji's harsh words but this was the first time Renji looked genuinely sincere as a coworker. "Isn't it good? Yuki is a novelist who debuted with high popularity at this time."

"You force me one more time, I will resign from the company," Renji said firmly.

This time Haru did not argue. Renji's decision was final, and the man closed his eyes again as if nothing had happened. Haru looked at that face. Renji's eyelashes were long. Beautiful and very opposite to his haphazard behavior. However, no matter how bad this man did, he never really hated it for granted.

So does the company. Renji was often seen working and making decisions, but they couldn't just throw him away. He thanks him, and is probably devastated this time. Yet he remains a large-scale moneymaker.

"Ren, can you sleep this comfortably?"

Haru caressed that face. And Renji remained motionless even as he lowered his head and reduced the smell of the air full of cigarettes and the smell of wine.

"Jean..."

Haru opened his eyes when he heard the delirium. He smiled sadly.

"Oh my god... that girl is outrageous..." Haru sighed softly.

The first time Haru met Jean was a month after the new teachings started to come in. At that time he and Renji were in the same major. One afternoon, he thought Renji would take Jean out to a bookstore or something, but he didn't. Waking up, he saw Renji's car stopped by the lake. The man was no longer in the driver's seat. And when he turned, he was already standing behind the fence with a girl with blonde hair.

"I'm Jean Liew, nice to meet you," said Jean. He hands Haru with a smile. "And you must be Haru. Renji has already told me a few things about you."

"Oh... yes. I'm Haru," said Haru. He leaked Renji who was silent next to her. "So you two started to be friends?"

Jean laughed. "Haha...you could call it that," he nudged Renji's shoulder. "We're good friends, right, Ren?"

"Hm..." Renji replied, then found a hairpin in the form of a ribbon for Jean. "Yours. It fell on my shoe."

"Oh really? Thank you..."

Haru had felt the difference between them from the start.

Honestly, he was skeptical, but also understanding at the same time. Because Jean was beautiful, and it was natural for Renji to be liked. Even so, Haru knew... that girl had taken Renji seriously from the start. So when the two of them advance to the stage of engagement... it starts to appear unconsciously.

Renji himself began to be confused since Jean gave the news that he would marry Hera. The man was even unable to finish his latest novel in the terrible deadline he had done. Yet anyone knows the nature of his professional attitude so far.

Worse, Renji, who had given up smoking and rarely drunk, is now starting to get acquainted with the two things.

When asking him for sex, Renji becomes even more grumpy and cold to the touch. He was like a human without a soul. And just walk wherever he wants.

Renji was a mess, but Haru couldn't just let it go. Moreover, the man was on the verge of his highest success at the moment.

"Then rest," said Haru. "I'll get you a new pillow, eat it when you wake up, and tomorrow you'll see how you're doing."

"No."

Suddenly Renji opened his eyes.

"Ren?"

Those golden eyes pierced him. "You stay here," Renji said. "I won't let you go home until I tell you."

"Ren, but—"

"Aren't you used to sticking to me?"

"What?"

"Then where are you going now?"

Haru looked very confused.

"Ren, I didn't mean to reject you—"

"But you did plan to do that," Renji said. "Don't you want to be my woman anymore?"

Haru blushed slightly.

"About that... a little. But I really can't stay tonight," Haru said. Looks very, very sad.

"Why?"

Haru shook slowly. "My wife is coming," he whispered carefully.

"..."

The soft fragrance of Renji's neck. "He came from Tehran this time. Two of my daughters came too because we were celebrating Sheila's birthday."

Renji was silent. He chose his gaze and snorted in any direction. "It's troublesome to have a family..." he said, trying to contain his anger as best he could.

"Sorry..."

"So, how old is Sheila this year?" Renji asked. Trying to understand.

"Thirteen."

"What about your youngest?"

"Sherly is seven years old," Haru said. But he soon added. "Listen, Ren. I'll be there as soon as the show is over. The Rose already knows how you are. She'll want to understand." he persuaded.

"No need," Renji said. Then smiled faintly though bland. "Go home. But get me a pillow before you go. And thank you for worrying about me when your family is in such a situation."

Haru's voice started to tremble. He kissed Renji's forehead affectionately.

"Ren, you know I don't want that."

Renji laughed after that. "I know," he said. "You can visit me anytime."

"Yes..."

"You're already in love with me."

"Yes..."

"In love seriously."

"Yes, Ren. Yes... whatever you say," Haru said. "But please don't do anything weird while I'm away. I won't be here in about five days."

"So."

"Just five days, got it?"

Renji was silent. He revealed a serious look on Haru's face and replied similarly. "Then rent me one to play with," he said slowly. Making Haru squeeze his shoulders unconsciously.

"..."

"A mature woman, beautiful and not too bulky. You understand what I'm saying too, don't you?"

Haru closed his eyes and nodded. "Yeah... how could I'm not understand."

Instead of saying a few things to make Haru not have it, Renji just closed his eyes. "Good. And I hope he'll be there this afternoon to wake me up."

So far, they've always been like that. When Jean is in trouble, Haru will try to be there. And when Haru can't, Renji will sleep with just anyone to release the burden of his heart. Starting from playing, friends at work who once offered a one-night stand, out of nowhere related to identity... and many more.

Of course, Haru always knew who had come. Because those people are the ones who take care of it. However, he could never be completely comfortable with all that was happening.

"You don't have to worry, Ren," Haru said. "Once I'm gone, he'll be here soon... hm? So you won't be alone."

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NB: I recommend reading the author's notes as well for each chapter. Because there are things that are quite important to know.