Chapter Text
To say Isogai's inquisitiveness was spurred is an understatement. First there was the weekly call with Kurokawa in which he mentioned Souichi calling Tomoe to ask how he reciprocates Kurokawa's care and how they manage their finances together. Then Kanako called to say that Souchi and Tetsuhiro visited to bring her copies of school pictures lost in the fire and that Souichi who never wore jewellery now has one around his neck!
Isogai promptly arranged a business travel and went to investigate. He afterall has a bet with Hirohito on whether Souichi will ever say the three words to Morinaga ever.
Souichi fascinated him as much as Doremon did when he was a kid. Though Morinaga tends to be possessive of his senpai and is likely to be hostile he decided to go stay at their apartment to observe the pair at close quarters. Maybe a wedge will help clarify feelings if they are strong enough?
*
Kuze San meanwhile was trying to get Kamiki's attention by waving a bet in front of him . The subject was the conundrum that was Tetusuhiro Morinaga . That guy is a meticulous worker, quick to grasp and come up with innovative ideas to solve any obstacle. He was pretty popular with his coworkers too and hence Kamiki thought he is ideal recommendation for the rare to come year long advanced training abroad. But instead of jumping at the chance Morinaga seemed unwilling. Kuze betting that Morinaga cannot be tempted to go far from Nagoya made him feel irritated for some reason. Why would a young peron who worked hard to get where he is in his career not want to progress further in it?!
Then while looking for the store key in Morinaga's desk he came across weird keepsakes - empty pharmacy cover, his university lab instruction post-its with messy handwriting, men's belt that was too small to be Morniga's, cut-hair that was long with a worn hair-tie (??!). Kamiki owed to find a way to send Morinaga , it might help settle his distractions ,maybe? He preferred his team to be focused on work.
*
Matsuda San wasn't surprised to receive a call from Morinaga. He called now and then but him requesting she deliver some home cooked food for Souichi kun is new. She is happy though that there is someone who keeps track and worries about Souichi kun who had to shoulder looking after his siblings from a very young age. Always polite, very careful not to lean on anyone, Souichi's only passion seemed to be his research. When that boy would wake up to go after having a family of his own at this rate? Who will look out for him when Morinaga settles down, now that he has a job with a good company?
When Kanako heard Morinaga is making sure her Nii chan's is fed healthy food even from far away she couldn't help tell Matsuda san about their visit after collecting all the school photos. They both recollected how their dont-care-about-sentiments-souichi is becoming more soft, well groomed man under the influence of Morinaga.
*
"Tetasuhiro seems to be having something on his mind", Kunhiro mused aloud to Misaki resting on his lap. "I bet it's related to that Senpai of his" smiled Misaki. They both know with his fierce loyalty Tetsuhiro would worry over things on his own. It's in hindsight they both realized the way Tetsuhiro tends to care for his loved ones - never demanding, always being considerate of their feelings and taking any blame to himself.
Misaki thought he hadn't come across anyone who had a more opposing personality in couples. Tetsuhiro's lover came across as harsh unfeeling tyrant who didn't pull any punches. He disliked Misaki on sight but apparently not because of jealousy. Would he ever put Tetsuhiro's feelings first?
Kunhiro interrupted his thoughts saying "in all our conversations I got the impression that Tetsuhiro thinks and decides as a unit with his Souichi San. He sounds more like a married person. After all the things he went through I am happy he found someone with whom he feels such bonding..we have all been never there for him. I hope Souichi will be there always for my brother"
"Yes, I think being by his side is what gives meaning to Tetsuhiro" agreed Misaki
*
Yammaguchi waved Tadokoro and Miharu to join him at his table in the canteen hoping to catch up amongst the busy thesis submisson season. They looked harried. He had been asked by Morinaga to give him daily reports of Souichi senpai and asked illogical questions like " did senpai eat lunch today" and "what time did he go home" to "how is his thesis coming along". But with the carrot of helping him with job search post graduation Yammaguchi decided to cooperate with his masochist friend Morinaga who is unable to leave his university persona behind.
Miharu looked at Tadokoro and said " don't you think senpai has been down this whole week? Usually he is more groomed and happy after a weekend. I think with his graduation coming closer he must be depressed about leaving huh?" .
"Hmm..I thought he looked tired after
weekends though less irritable. He is smoking his usual, I don't see why he seemed depressed to you. He did keep looking at his phone though and called me Morinaga while helping with my thesis. May be he is missing having him around eh?"
"Oh, then is his thesis going well for him to have time to help you with yours" queried Yammaguchi. "Ah, that, senpai is kind that way, he will help if he can even when he is buried with his work. But come to think of it, we didn't get yelled at all this week. May be Miharu is right to say senpai is feeling down"
They all silently finished eating while wondering why the tyrant of their department who is a brilliant researcher would be feeling down?!
*
Hiroto served the umpteenth cocktail to Isogai who felt he had a new insight into Souichi and was adamant in dissecting it with him. He shared about looking up a friend he had in S pharmaceutical who happened to know about Morinaga and his nagoya based love. Ofcourse Isogai has gleaned the information about the hard to come by abroad opportunity that Morinaga doesn't seem to have shared with Souichi yet.
Hiroto's opinion on it was, it was not because Morinaga was hiding it from Souichi but because he doesn't want to add burden when his senpai is under stress with graduation. Isogai felt it was because Morinaga is insecure that Souichi will ask him to go irrespective of the long separation. Hiroto had to agree recollecting that the cold senpai never seemed needy and it was Morinaga who was always scheming ways to seduce him to his ways.
Isogai then wondered aloud as to why Kuze san said that Morinaga is much loved and why Souichi is down to the extent of not even kicking him out. How will these two opposite personalities deal with this decision that could lead to a long separation. Hiroto felt Morinaga will decide to stay with senpai even if it meant giving up his job.
Hiroto remembered to call out to Isogai as he paid the bill not to meddle and to trust in their bond.
*