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Wise never considered himself to be sentimental. Not completely, anyway. It wasn’t like him to be shattered solely from emotion or empathy, and he wasn’t the kind of person who dwelled too deeply on the past. But everything changed when he and Belle first laid eyes on Section 6.
Hollow Special Operations Section 6, to be precise. Asaba Harumasa . An all-round bubbly personality dripping with an awkward suave charm, intent on fully utilising every moment on the clock to be as off-the-clock as possible. At least, it’s what Wise assumed at first, like many others when coming across Section 6’s members. It seemed like Harumasa had also taken an interest in Wise at some point, using Random Play as his escape more often. Wise also found himself sending Belle out for chores more after catching wind that the Operations Officer was about to come around.
But he was not growing attached to Harumasa.
He was simply playing good host: greeting him when he caught a familiar glint of equipment shining through the window, getting ready a film they’d agreed to watch together beforehand, even cleaning up the damn HDD room (to Belle’s delight and confused surprise).
“ Oh, Wise! ” Harumasa began dramatically with a hand on his chest, as they entered the ‘STAFF ONLY’ room. “These are my favourite candies! How did you know they’re the only ones I tolerate?” He smiled. “You flatter me with your efforts, dear Manager.” Wise cleared his throat as he sat next to him, a warmth spreading across his body. “It’s nothing. I’m just… being considerate.”
“Wise!! Putting me on groceries for two weeks is not being considerate at all!” Belle was mad. More annoyed, to be exact. “You make me do tape runs, go get groceries, send me on commissions, expect me to drive to the Outer Ring, to Port Elpis, to Starloop, to the damn Outpost all for what?! And you sit here doing God knows what with that Asaba from Section 6.” She threw her hands in the air and paced around the store in mild exasperation. Her rhythmic footsteps were working into Wise’s ears. “What the hell are you two even doing?”
“Master, would you like me to inform you a brief rundown-“
“ No- “ Wise yelled into the HDD room. “There’s no need, Fairy.” The hum of the supercomputer quietened down. “Harumasa just comes here to relax. You know he has no one to go home to, Belle.” She raised an eyebrow, “Just ‘Harumasa’, huh? You must be close...” Wise stayed silent, watching her expression. Her face read like she was on the case to figure something out. “Whatever. You need to do two weeks of chores now. It’s only fair.”
Wise was stopped in front of a clothing store in Lumina Square, brought to halt by the window showcasing new styles for the season. The autumn colours seemed to begin seeping into wardrobes as the coats on display sported warm browns, oranges, and even some darker navy blues and greys. The sight of a lovely milk chocolate suit jacket rooted Wise to the ground to stare, not only because its colour appealed to his eye, but also because the image of a certain person was conjured in his head. Suddenly he felt like buying and gifting it to him. Even as he dragged himself back to the Random Play van, these images persisted thinking about just how good Harumasa would look in that, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the familiar yellow band fluttering in symphony with the warm tones of the suit…
The shut of the boot snapped him out of his daydream. He groaned quietly as he started up the van and began driving back, a familiar yellow catching for just a moment in the corner of his eye.
Wise didn’t speak to Belle when he arrived home, to her curiosity. Thankfully she didn’t ask and just pushed his takeout bowl of noodles toward him as she left him alone in silence. It was time to admit it.
He couldn’t stop thinking about Asaba Harumasa.
It wasn’t like they never talked, so he had no reason to feel this giddy thinking about him. Conversely, he and Harumasa texted semi-frequently. It got to a point where Wise was receiving messages left to his inbox at the normal working hour of 7am, with Harumasa being lovingly aware that Wise would only see it past midday. And he was always right. Now with Belle putting him on mandatory chore duty as revenge, Wise could now actually respond in time, which initially shocked the Officer.
“ What I’d give to come find you at Sixth Street right now. Pity. I haven’t even turned on my desktop, ” read a recent message, paired with a downcast looking sticker. Wise found himself chuckling, wide smile on his face as he waited for the crossing to turn green. “ When they let me into HAND, I’ll come find you on your home ground. ” He pocketed his phone as he continued about his rounds, ending with taking Eous and a few other Bangboo for a slight modification at Enzo’s. It buzzed just as Enzo ushered the little crew of newly modded Bangboo out to the front, “I see 18 has been spreading some gossip back there.” He laughed as some of his own Bangboo crowd around a clearly reluctant-to-go 18, “Anything special happening?”
Wise checked his notification quickly before gathering up his Bangboo, “No? I wonder what they’re talking about.” Enzo heartily chuckled, “They’re sweet things. Have a nice day, Wise!” Wise relayed his own well wishes as he exited the store and his eyes landed on the incoming message from Harumasa.
“ Chief has always given you access to HAND. Guess I’ll be seeing you soon? ”
Wise didn’t sleep. He just couldn’t. Belatedly, he’d realised he’d left Harumasa on read and it felt horrifying to answer this late. So he just settled on wallowing in guilt. Darkness as his cover, his very awake eyes stared at the void that was his ceiling, ever so slightly illuminated by the moonlight. He was so annoying; both himself and Harumasa.
Just what did that man do to him? Since the first day they met to cooperate as Proxy and Agent, Wise felt the image of Harumasa sear itself into his head, forever haunting him every time he closed his eyes to sleep. At the first open of his eyes, Harumasa was the first thing to pop into his thoughts. He was a nagging murmur in the back of his head as Wise asked himself questions that integrated Harumasa into whatever he was doing at that moment. He just could not stop thinking about that man. Everything reminded Wise of him.
The store was closed the following day to take instocks, which was a breather for Wise. When he emerged in the morning, Belle yelled out of fright, “You look as dead as a ghost! What the hell happened last night?” He couldn’t be bothered to respond. Seeing that he was not much use to the task at hand, Belle took pity and sent him out to go find someone to meet. It just so happened that the first person in his contact list was him.
“Wise?” The very melody of this voice washed over him and lifted some weight off, letting him breathe easier. “You okay?” Harumasa stopped outside of Random Play in front of Wise, his shadow blocking the sunlight beating on his face. “Harumasa…” Finding it in him to look his saviour in the eyes, Wise felt his legs begin to shake. Flashes of dreams he never remembered spiked adrenaline in him as he watched Harumasa’s face contort in confusion before reaching out to stabilise him. “Come on, Manager. Let’s get you inside. Don’t want you collapsing on me now.”
“Sorry! Store’s closed toda- Oh! Asaba! And…” Belle groaned in embarrassment seeing Wise barely holding himself together in front of such an important person. “I’m so sorry,” She quickly apologises. “He’s not been feeling well lately-“
“It’s okay!” Harumasa said, holding a polite hand out to stop Belle from trying to grab her brother. “I’ll just bring him up to his room. I see you’ve got your hands full,” He eyed the litter of tapes on the ground. “And he probably wasn’t of much help, I’m guessing.” He pat Wise’s shoulder. Belle laughed nervously. “Don’t worry, Manager. I can handle him.”
When they reached Wise’s room, Harumasa gently arranged the room’s owner onto his bed with a sigh. “What happened to you, Wise?” Wise let out a soft exhale.
“I’m sorry.” Harumasa turned to the sudden sound of words, “For what, Wise?”
“Burden,” He mumbled, to which Harumasa laughed. “Hardly. I was more of the burden to you and Belle, if I’m being honest.” His fingers traced around Wise’s form, leaving tracks on the blanket where his fingers walked. “I was basically barging in here four times a week.”
“You were never a burden,” Wise stated resolutely. He moved with great effort to sit up a bit more against the headboard. “I’m sorry-“ Wise coughed and the other looked concerned. “I couldn’t sleep for the past few nights. I guess- I think I missed you.”
Silence did a two-step dance with the unsaid thoughts that raced a million miles in Wise’s head. Was this a mistake?
“So much it made you sick?” Harumasa moved closer, voice dropped a little lower and quieter. Wise nodded, a small up-down that made Harumasa break into a fond smile. “For the record, I liked doing those stuff for you,” He continued under the other’s sweet gaze. “Waiting for you, preparing the film and getting everything ready just for you…” Wise felt himself redden under that tender look, and from the embarrassing words coming from his mouth. Some part of him hated this vulnerability, that he was so easily giving up his thoughts and feelings. Some other part of him expected to be met with great disappointment, anticipating Harumasa to break out into laughter at the feelings he’d just bared to him in earnest confession. Wise knew should that pathway ever come to fruition, he’d be sworn off lovers for life.
“ Oh, Wise… ”
Wise’s heartbeat quickened at the way Harumasa said his name. “Surely you know that my future is uncertain? Every waking day is a gamble, every passing hour is its own reward, getting past every minute is my entire life’s goal,” Harumasa brushed hair out of Wise’s eyes. “So how could you still want me? Even to the point of joining me in sickness before a marriage,” He gently joked.
“Do you think I haven’t thought about it?” Wise asked plainly. “I’m not that blinded, Harumasa. I know the future that awaits if we…” He trailed off, afraid to even speak that uncertain future into existence. “But I still want you anyway. I… I can’t stop thinking about you, even when I wake up and when I go to sleep.” He shook his head, “You’re occupying every moment, ever since I first laid eyes on you.” Wise sat up a bit straighter now, powered by the will to set Harumasa straight on his thoughts of him. “In spite of that uncertain future, I still want to be here with you. I want to be there for your every second, every minute, every hour, and every day. I want to cherish it all with you.”
Wise could see a line of tears welling in the other’s eyes. “Wise-“ Harumasa sniffled before crashing a hug into Wise. Something in both their facades slipped, and they both confronted each other’s forms now barren of curated expression and formality. Relief was an understatement within the store manager, where satisfaction took over. He’d denied himself this feeling until it made itself known, asserting its presence right to the man who’d caused it all in the first place. He could finally have a safe place within someone, where he could entrust his entire soul to and resign his quiet thoughts. Harumasa was warm as Wise wrapped his arms around him, little shudders from coming down from a much-needed cry making him softly pat Harumasa’s lower back to soothe him.
“I think…” Harumasa lifted himself off and wiped at his face with a wet laugh, “I think I really needed that.” He was laying across Wise now, weakly holding himself steady to look up at the Manager. “I see that,” Wise responded, swiping the tears under the other’s eyes. He carefully moved Harumasa to lay next to him. They walked with each other in the silence, both their minds racing with the rush of something new and unexpected- something they’d both been quietly waiting for. Wise felt a shy tug at his pinky and realised Harumasa was asking for his hand.
Of course he let him. Their hands intertwined, side by side on Wise’s unmade bed, hearts beating quick; satisfied, giddy smiles on their faces. A ruffle of the pillow told Wise that Harumasa turned to face him. “Manager,” he began. And Wise turned too. Seeing the man beside him in his work clothes now crumpled and no longer professional-looking, it made something in Wise jump. But he contained those feelings with a gulp before humming.
“You really meant that?” Harumasa’s eyes were shining, glowing with expectation and hope. Wise would never be the one to snuff the flames of the rare moments of childlike wonder in him. Learning everything about Harumasa made him so much more precious in his eyes, and he’d earned a position of valiant respect in Wise’s heart.
“I could never lie to you, Harumasa,” Wise turned his body to fully face the other. “Your soul is safe with me.” He watched Harumasa bite down on his bottom lip to keep it from trembling as his hand was gripped tighter by both of the other’s. “And I shall look after yours as well, Wise.”