Make You Mine /// Fourth Lie: On Repeat
Title: Make You Mine
Pairing: Akanishi Jin x Kazuya Kamenashi //Akame//
Genre: Romance, AU
Rating: PG-13 and up.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. I don't make profit with this.
Summary: The first impression counts and Kazuya's first impression of Jin is not the best. However, Jin is determined to get to know Kazuya - and Kazuya makes up a few lies, which suddenly become huge... And then, the tide is turning. A/N: English isn't my mother tongue, but I've been living in the UK for quite a time, so I basically write and speak well. You're welcome to correct any mistakes, though. Of course.
Okay, honestly ♥♥♥ YOU GUYS!!!! I don't know how to tell you just how happy I am for all your comments. I didn't get around to answer all of them yet and I wanted to wait with posting this, until finishing answering all comments, but... I just don't get around to it. But I will, I'll take my time these days and answer all left comments. I just want you guys to know that I am happy for each and every single word you left and I will properly reply!!!
Until then, have fun reading the next chap :)
Kazuya didn't learn too much, I am afraid v.v
Previous Chapters:
First Lie: Who am I?
Second Lie: Find Me
Third Lie: Exposed
Fourth Lie: On Repeat
Kazuya stood in front of the hotel, stared up to the front, the long aisle that led to the entrance; wooden doors, heavy and pompous, elegant and decorated in gold.
He sighed as he lifted the letter in his hand and looked at it again. It was the nth time this morning; during his time in the library, he had looked at it again and again, had tried to find a way out, a way to keep what he had, but each time again, he figured the only way he had was to go in there and hand that letter over.
Jin had made his point very clear.
It was almost noon by now, so Jin was probably angry already that Kazuya hadn’t handed in the letter earlier. It was about time.
With heavy steps, Kazuya walked in, a porter greeted him friendly and he nodded his head. The carpet beneath his feet was soft and cushioned his steps, it felt like walking on cotton.
He looked around the huge lobby, the soft red carpet, the beige and gold walls, the seating arrangements, the reception and the lifts on both sides; everything perfectly in harmony and in a radiance of elegance and class --- it was the kind of hotel Kazuya had always wanted to create.
It left a small sting in his heart that a person like Jin was able to do it; create this, make it look exactly the way Kazuya hand always wanted his own one to look like.
He approached reception and waited for the girl to notice him and to ask him what she could do.
“Is Akanishi-san in?”
She nodded. “He’s in his office, I think. Do you have an appointment with him?”
“Not exactly”, Kazuya answered. “I am working in the hotel bar, he wanted to see me.”
“Ah, I see. If you come through, please, I show you to him.”
Kazuya nodded and went to the side, opening a door that led into reception. He followed the girl through a few small office rooms, then she knocked a dark wooden door, before she opened it.
Kazuya thanked her, before he stepped in.
The man at the desk gave him a curious look, papers in front of him, a pen in his hand.
“Excuse me, Sir”, Kazuya said, not less confused. “I’m Kamenashi. I had come to talk to your son.”
There was no doubt it was Jin’s father; Kazuya had noticed the similarity in their faces straight away.
“In what matter did you want to speak to him?” He smiled slightly. “I might be able to help.”
Kazuya nodded and stepped forward, until he stood in front of the table. “I wanted to hand in my resignation.”
Akanishi gave him a surprised look. “You’re working in the hotel?”
“I have been working in the bar for a few weeks, Sir.”
“And you’re already quitting?” He gripped the letter. “Don’t you like the job?”
Kazuya shook his head. “I enjoy the job more than anything.”
“Then why would you quit?”
“Well...” Kazuya swallowed. “Your son asked me to.”
Akanishi frowned at that. “At the bar, you say?”
Kazuya nodded.
Not saying anything more, Akanishi picked up the phone and dialled a few numbers, then he said: “Yamashita-kun to my office, please.”
Kazuya’s eyes widened and he instinctively stepped forward. “Sir...”
“I don’t want any misunderstandings. Jin is allowed to lay off anyone, but for any department there’s a head and I prefer to have their opinion, too.”
Kazuya just stared at him in disbelief, then someone knocked the door, before it opened.
“You wanted to see me?”
Kazuya turned and looked at Yamashita, who gave him a surprised look, as he entered the room. “Kamenashi?”
“This young man has been working with you at the bar, Tomohisa?”
Yamashita nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
“Why did Jin lay him off?” Akanishi leaned back in his chair.
“I am not quite sure”, Yamashita answered honestly. “I think it was a personal matter.”
They both looked at Kazuya now and he shrugged a shoulder. “We’ve been involved personally and I lied to him about a few things.” Kazuya swallowed. “Including the fact that I had started working here, so he assumed I had used him to get the job here in the bar.”
Akanishi looked back at Yamashita. “Did Jin ask you to give him the position at the bar?”
“No, Sir. I hired Kamenashi-san.”
“And did you know that he knew Jin?”
Yamashita shook his head. “I didn’t know they were privately involved with each other.”
Akanishi smiled slightly. “Were you satisfied with Kamenashi’s work?”
“If you want to know”, Yamashita answered, “if I had laid him off, the answer is no. He did a very good job.”
Akanishi nodded and leaned in, shoving the letter back into Kazuya’s direction. “Then, I can’t accept this.”
Kazuya stared. “Sir...”
“The head of the bar is satisfied with you, so why wouldn’t I keep a good member of the staff?”
“Because your son...”
“... makes decisions based on his short temper. His personal affairs have nothing to do with my hotel. If he has a problem with you in private, he can’t solve it by getting rid of you that way.” Akanishi smiled again and pointed at the letter. “If you don’t take it back, I’ll just throw it away right here.”
With a shaky hand, Kazuya gripped the letter, before he bowed to the man.
“Discuss any further details with Yamashita-kun. I have work to do.”
Kazuya heard the door being opened and turned, bowed again at the door, before he followed Yamashita out.
“Where is Jin”, he asked, as soon as the door was closed again.
Yamashita gave him a long look. “Gone to Osaka this morning.”
“What?” Kazuya followed him, as Yamashita turned and walked off. “So what am I supposed to do now?”
“Turn up to your shift at seven tonight, I suppose.”
“But Jin fired me.”
“And Akanishi-san just made clear that it’s not valid.” Yamashita smiled slightly at Kazuya. “I am on Jin’s side, because he’s my best friend and you got him really bad with those lies.”
Kazuya bit his lip.
“But I am also happy I don’t have to let you go. You’re doing quite well at the bar.”
“Jin’s going to be upset when he comes back and finds me still working here.”
“He’s going to hate it.”
“So, shouldn’t I....”
“No”, Yamashita interrupted and stopped, turning to him. “His father is right. He can’t fire you because of personal reasons. You’re doing nothing wrong in your job, in fact, you are pretty much excellent.”
Kazuya sighed. “He’s going to make this job a living hell for me.”
Yamashita shrugged, before he went on. “You deserve it. I see you at seven tonight!”
Kazuya stayed behind in the lobby and looked after Yamashita with a rather insecure expression.
He probably really did deserve it.
“He won’t return for the next month?”
Yamashita nodded and sorted some bottles, while Kazuya checked on glasses.
“Why would he leave for so long?”
“He’s taking care of the Osaka hotel for a while.”
Kazuya frowned. “Is it not going well, or why would they send him?”
“It’s more of the other way around.” Yamashita gave Kazuya a look over his shoulder. “He’s just checking on everything, before one of the managers who’s worked here takes that one over.”
It was a quiet night at the bar. Just a few guests were sitting in one of the corners, the light was dim, the music slow and quiet and Kazuya and Yamashita stood at the bar, waiting for the shift to end, so they could close the bar.
“Akanishi-san is going to retire next month, that’s why.”
Kazuya nodded slightly. “So, Jin is preparing for the next manager to take over Osaka and he will take over this one.”
Yamashita nodded and moved from behind the counter, as the guests left to clear the table. “He had taken over this one already. Now, it only gets official.”
“I see.” Kazuya put the glasses to a tray and as he was on his way back to the counter, he turned again and stared at Yamashita. “That means...”
The older one smirked slightly. “I wondered how much longer it would take you to get the idea.”
“There’s a free position in management here.”
Yamashita nodded. “But you better forget about that again. You haven’t even graduated from university and you don’t have any experience. They wouldn’t even take you on for the trial period.”
Kazuya pouted. “Are you sure?”
“Well, all I am absolutely sure of is Jin making the decision in the end. And he won’t pick you.”
“But he won’t be here for a month”, Kazuya gave into consideration. “So, if I do well and impress his father, I might stand a chance.”
“You expect too much of yourself.”
Kazuya shook his head. “No, I don’t think I am.”
When he was on his way home later on, he decided that he had to give it a try. Redline Hotels was the place he had always wanted to work at and if he chose a clever way, he could definitely make it.
Tomorrow, he would find out more about that and what was officially required for the job.
If he met those requirements, they didn’t even have a right to refuse him without having put him through an interview or trial.
The only problem would be Jin, he thought. If it was true that Jin would make the decision together with his father in the end, Kazuya wouldn’t make it.
Jin would never give him that job, there was just no way. After everything that had happened, Jin would use that opportunity to pay him back the best he could.
And the best he could was destroying that dream of Kazuya’s.
He sighed, as he opened the door to his apartment and stumbled in. Kicking off his shoes, he made his way to the kitchen, had a glass of water, before he fell to the couch in the living room. He was too lazy to get to the bedroom and change. It was probably better to have a nap here first and move later.
One week, Kazuya thought, while he was falling asleep. In one week, he would take the final exam and then, he would get that damn job at the hotel and finally get where he always wanted to be.
Independent and successful, being the manager at a first class hotel.
Jin’s first class hotel, it crossed his mind, before the lights finally switched out.
Jin yawned, as he got back up into his suite. He had ordered dinner up, but it had turned cold already, as he had taken forever to get away downstairs.
Today had been busy.
It had been his first week in Osaka and those first days always were busiest. He had to get used to everything, work through all schedules, get to know the staff and their habits. It may was the same hotel company, but the way it functioned and worked, the intern methods and concepts were depending on its staff.
By now, Jin thought he had gotten through to it. Most of them were easy to get along with and not too different from his staff in Tokyo.
Stretching, he went to the huge window and looked at the bright night lights of Osaka. He had taken off his jacket and loosened his tie. Burying his hands in his pockets, he looked out of the window for a while, watching the lights, the streets and the dark sky.
Then, he frowned and he pulled one hand from his pocket, a small piece of paper in his hands. Unfolding it, he stared at it for a moment, then he lowered his hand again and he looked out of the window for a little longer.
It was Kazuya’s number; just that one little note he had been so damn happy about just a week ago. Yet, he had never called the number, as everything had turned around just a day later.
It probably wasn’t Kazuya’s number, however.
Jin hesitated for a moment, then he cursed himself and took out his mobile, dialling in the number.
It rang and he was almost about to cut the connection, when that familiar voice answered.
“Hello?”
Jin kept quiet for a moment, couldn’t say anything. Why had he called in the first place?
“Hello?” Kazuya repeated.
“It’s Akanishi”, Jin answered.
He heard Kazuya gasp slightly. “Eh, hi.”
“I just found your notice in my pocket and I got curious if you lied about the number, too.” Jin turned from the window to the room and went over to his couch.
“Well, obviously, I didn’t.”
“Surprises me, actually”, Jin commented. “It’s not very careful to give your real number, when everything else about you is fake.”
Kazuya kept silent for a moment. “I wanted to meet up to tell you the truth, so I don’t think there was anything wrong with it.”
“There was a lot wrong with it.” Jin’s voice was low. “Anyways. I am in Osaka, so I couldn’t check, if you handed in your resignation.”
“You told me to, why wouldn’t I have done it?”
Jin frowned slightly over Kazuya’s offensive tone. “It’s not like I could trust you.”
Kazuya waited a moment, then he answered: “I showed up Saturday morning, just as you told me to hand in my resignation. You weren’t in, so I had to see your father.”
“Could you find another job already?”
“What”, Kazuya asked mockingly. “Are you worried for me?”
Jin pulled a face at that. “No, I was just curious. I am trying to be nice, you see.”
“I don’t think there’s any reason for you to be nice to me.”
“You should appreciate it a little more”, Jin answered with his teeth grinded.
“I could go back to a bar I worked at before”, Kazuya just said. “And I applied for a job in management. My final exams are on Monday and on Tuesday, I’ll take an interview. So, no worries, I get along without you perfectly fine.”
Jin raised a brow, waited a moment. “As long as it’s not my hotel you’re working at”, he commented.
For just a moment, Kazuya didn’t shoot back straight away and Jin was already about to add something, then Kazuya said: “It’s your loss.”
“I don’t think a person I can’t trust and who is not doing his job with honesty is a loss for me.” Jin leaned back. “I doubt it.”
“We’ll see”, Kazuya murmured.
Jin waited a moment, wanted to say more, but he knew he’d only make it worse. He had not called to fight; he didn’t want to be involved with Kazuya in any way again.
“In any case, I was just curious about the number. You don’t need to save mine; I won’t save this one.”
“Didn’t plan to save your number”, Kazuya commented. “I wouldn’t know what to use it for.”
“Well, then we agree.”
“Apparently.”
Jin waited another second, as if he thought in the end, Kazuya would probably say something, just anything to win Jin back. But Kazuya didn’t and Jin couldn’t tell why he ached for it somewhere in the depths of his heart.
“Goodbye then”, he just said coolly and cut the connection.
It was pathetic, Jin thought and stared at the display, how attached he felt to that guy, although he had never even once called him by his real name and everything Jin knew about him was a lie.
How could he be sure that what he thought to know about Kazuya Kamenashi now, wasn’t a lie again? Probably he had found out his name, but was the rest true? Kazuya might had lied to Yamashita, as well.
Jin clicked his tongue and got up from the couch, walking over to the huge king size bed.
He just wouldn’t think about it anymore - it was over, however.
Back in Tokyo, Kazuya stared at the display of his mobile, too, before he groaned and closed his eyes, putting one arm over his face.
He lay on his back on the floor. When he had heard Jin’s voice, he had felt the urge to sit down for a moment and the couch had seemed too far away.
Why had he lied again? Why could he not have said what was really going on?
Okay, he had not exactly lied... Kazuya sighed and shook his head. No, Jin would see it as a lie, that much was clear.
He looked at the display again, stared at the few little numbers and the field that had popped up beneath them.
Save Number?
Kazuya stared at it, his thumb hovering over the No, before he bit his lip and moved it over, pressing the Yes.
He typed in Jin and then pressed OK, before he put the mobile away and stared at the ceiling.
Even though he had made a mistake again, Jin wouldn’t return for another three weeks. He wouldn’t return, before Kazuya’s trial period was over.
If he got through the interview, Kazuya thought with a sigh. He rolled over and curled up.
He was only after the job, nothing else. Jin wouldn’t get in his way - in no possible way. Kazuya only had to keep his mind off of what that kiss had been like and he would be okay.
He could handle Jin.
It was not yet over.
“This is Tanaka Koki-san”, Akanishi introduced a young man to his right. “He is going to train the five of you during these two weeks of your trial period.”
Kazuya bowed together with the other four man, as Akanishi left the room, then he sat down again, looking at the man sitting at the top side of the table.
He had seen him before.
That one night, he had been with Jin in the club and Kazuya had thought he looked scary. In day light, he looked scary, too, but with that suit and the papers in front of him, he looked very professional. Apparently, Kazuya thought and crossed his fingers, watching Tanaka closely, he couldn’t remember, however. He had looked at Kazuya during the interview, but nothing had lit up in his face that gave a sign of recognition.
“I am pleased to meet all of you”, Tanaka said and smiled slightly. “I tell you from the start, this is not going to be easy on you. In the end, we can pick only one of you five.”
Kazuya still couldn’t tell how he had gotten this far; Akanishi had been rather surprised, when Kazuya had handed in an application, but as he met all the requirements, he could not have refused it, so with an amused smile, he had invited Kazuya to an interview.
He had been sure he wouldn’t pass the interview, but both Akanishi and Tanaka had been very serious and had been agreed on taking Kazuya on a trial.
So, that’s where he was now - his first day of trial. Together with four other contestants, he was sitting in one of the huge conference rooms on the 27th floor of the hotel, getting instructions.
As they were done and left the room, one of them approached Kazuya with and walked next to him.
“Hey, I’m Iio Kensaku.” He smiled friendly. “Nice to meet you.”
Kazuya nodded his head slightly, returning the smile. That guy was the only younger one, too; the others all were in their forties or fifties already. He was tall, had short brown hair and rather small eyes, but his features looked gentle and nice.
“I’m Kamenashi Kazuya”, he answered. “I’m looking forward to work with you.”
“Well, we’re rivals, in the end”, Kensaku said. “But I’d more prefer working together, too. How old are you”, he added then.
“I’m twenty-five.”
“So young”, Kensaku replied. “I’m twenty-eight.”
Kazuya laughed slightly. “That makes me the youngest, I guess.”
“Do you even have experience yet? Or is this your first time applying?”
Kazuya nodded. “I just finished university a little more than a week ago.”
Kensaku looked impressed. “I am surprised they accepted you then!”
“I am, too”, Kazuya admitted. “I didn’t think they would.”
“Okay!” Tanaka turned around to them, as they came to a halt in the huge front lobby. “Rather than explaining our structures and concepts, I will have you guys figure them out yourself.” He smiled again. “This whole trial is basically to figure out how you work and react to all kinds of situations. So, don’t hold back. I will not make any decisions. Should there be a problem occurring, I won’t interfere, but instead just watch how you solve it.”
Kensaku leaned in to Kazuya. “That’s going to be interesting.”
Kazuya just nodded and watched the other three guys. It would get difficult; five of them with five different opinions. One had to stand up to the others to win this and Kazuya didn’t like those kinds of fights at all.
But there was no choice for him, but to fight.
After all, he wanted to come out on top in the end and he would do anything to accomplish that.
The days were flying by, Kazuya thought, as he came into the hotel on the last day of his trial period.
Today, they would make a decision and Kazuya couldn’t tell, where he stood. He had not been doing too bad, but probably, it hadn’t been enough. After all, he had decided to just go with his gut feeling for every situation they had been thrown in.
He did have experience in this field, but other than his four rivals, he had never actually worked in a managing position. Kazuya was sure that gave him quite some disadvantage.
Another problem was, how Kazuya had figured out by now, that the one who got the job, would work with Jin every day. It was not the position of being this hotel’s manager, but Jin’s Co-Manager.
And Kazuya wasn’t sure, if he wanted this.
Working in a Redline Hotel as a Manager - that was what he wanted, it was definite. But working with Jin, Kazuya wasn’t sure if he wanted that.
By now he had figured that that one single kiss had been more stirring, fiery than Kazuya wanted to admit. He couldn’t forget about it and he hadn’t felt that attracted in a long, long time.
He wanted Jin in a way he couldn’t grasp himself; a way that made him forget everything else, as long as he could figure a way to get closer to Jin. And get more of what he had tasted.
Kazuya sighed and pressed the button of the lift, waiting for it to come.
He wore a grey suit, a black shirt beneath and his tie had an amber colour. He had invested quite some money into this suit and he wasn’t sure where exactly he was supposed to wear it, if he wouldn’t get this job.
He stepped into the lift, a few men followed and he said “27 please” to a man, before he turned and saw Jin stepping out of the reception, his eyes glued to a file he had in his hand.
Kazuya gasp slightly and lowered his look, cursing under his breath.
What was Jin doing here? He was not supposed to be back already! Why was he back?
Kazuya just wanted those doors to close already, so he could get out of Jin’s sight. He prayed Jin wouldn’t look up now, see him.
Everything would be over in that moment.
The doors started closing and Kazuya relaxed his position already, when someone held the door and Kazuya heard another person going on. He stared at his shoes, waiting for the doors to close again and the lift to go on.
“Thanks”, he heard the person who just got on murmur and his head shot up in surprise. Jin stood at the other side of the lift, just barely two feet from him, still staring at his papers.
The lift started moving and Kazuya kept staring at Jin in disbelief, then the lift stopped again and the other two men got out, which left Kazuya alone with Jin.
Why was the twenty-seventh floor so high up? Kazuya stood like a statue, didn’t even dare breathing.
He saw Jin moving his hand to the buttons, pressing the red one and the lift stopped.
Kazuya still stared at Jin’s hand, as he closed the file and slowly turned to Kazuya.
“I guess you didn’t book one of our suits, did you?”
Kazuya moved his look to Jin’s face and he slowly shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”
Jin raised a brow and opened the file again. “So, you applied for the open position in management.”
“It just happened to...”
“The job interview was for this?” Jin stepped a little closer. “The old job you could go back to was here at the bar?”
“You just asked, if I handed in my resignation.” Kazuya drew back to the wall of the elevator.
“Are you saying your lies are justified?” Jin raised his voice and closed the distance, slamming his fist to the wall next to Kazuya’s face.
He was too close, Kazuya thought. This wouldn’t end well - he would make a complete fool of himself, if Jin didn’t step away. “I would have been an idiot to ignore this.”
Jin growled and leaned in closer. “You are an idiot for even trying.”
Kazuya took a shaky breath and he let his look fall to Jin’s lips for a moment - just a short weak second. Then he looked at Jin’s eyes again. “Don’t you think someone probably waits for the lift?”
Jin smirked, his face close to Kazuya’s. “There are eleven more to choose from for them.”
“I need to go up”, Kazuya added. “I’ll be late.”
“The interviews won’t start until I am there.” Jin felt Kazuya shiver slightly and he observed his face more closely. “What did you come here for?”
“I want this job.”
Jin noticed. There was something in Kazuya’s eyes, something about the way his body tensed, that gave Kazuya away.
To probe Kazuya - and probably to probe himself, too - Jin leaned in and caught Kazuya’s lips, gave him just a tempting, short nibbling, a taste of what he could have.
And Kazuya immediately reacted. He didn’t stand a chance, his body gave in, his mind lost to his needs and he responded to the kiss. His defence was like a sandcastle against the waves, crumbling in seconds and everything that was left, was the desire he had tried to repress for weeks.
Jin knew he had won. He had all trumps in his hands, Kazuya couldn’t stand a chance.
Jin reached out and pressed the button for the twenty-seventh floor again, still drawing Kazuya to the wall. The lift started moving and Jin watched Kazuya’s face, the unsteady eyes, the shaky lips.
Something about him was dangerous; something that made Jin want him so much, even though he knew Kazuya was the worst of kind.
A liar, nothing but a liar.
Jin tilted his head and his lips stroke over Kazuya’s temple. “You know I won’t let you have it.”
Kazuya let go of his breath, tilted his head to look at Jin and they were close again, their lips almost touching.
Jin stepped back and the lift reached the right floor.
“What you want most”, Jin added. “I won’t let you have it.”
Kazuya stayed behind, as Jin got off first, then he followed and straightened out his jacket, trying to adjust it.
Jin greeted the other men, who were already waiting with a slight bow, then he entered the room.
“Dad”, he said and his father turned to him. Then he saw Koki and smiled. “Hey.”
“You’re late”, his father just said.
“Something kept me”, Jin answered and sat down next to his father. “So, let’s start, we shouldn’t make those guys wait any longer.”
Koki threw him a look. “I decided already which one I would pick.”
Akanishi opened the file in front of him. “Same here.” He threw Jin a look.
“I am meeting all of them for the first time”, Jin just said. Then he pointed at the door and the young woman standing next to it went out and came in again with the first of the five men.
“Iio Kensaku”, Jin read the name and smiled at the man. “Nice to meet you.”
He listened to what he had to say and to his father’s and Koki’s opinion, asked him if he had liked the trial period and other questions.
Jin did the same for the next one, interested in their experience and stories. He let Koki talk to them most, as he knew them quite well by now and it was also mostly Koki, who could give a proper rating of their performance in the hotel.
Jin looked up, as Kazuya was the third one to walk in. He smiled as kindly as he had smiled at the other ones and to Kazuya’s defense he had to say that he didn’t sound the least nervous.
“So”, Jin said and looked at the file in front of him. “You worked at Fairy View’s before.”
Kazuya nodded and gave him a short glance. “For about two years, yes.”
“Why did you stop there?”
“My first years at university didn’t allow me a full-time job anymore, so I quit and started a part-time job in another hotel.”
“You jobbed in quite some hotels”, Jin noticed.
“I always knew I wanted to do it for a living, so I looked for jobs in hotels, yes.” Kazuya shifted in his chair.
“Fairy View is our biggest rival in business”, Jin added. “Did you know that?”
“The Ueda family is running quite a huge hotel concern”, Kazuya agreed. “I only just got to the job of a receptionist, what didn’t give me too much insight into their concepts and structures.”
Jin nodded and looked at his father, then at Koki. “Honestly, I think we can stop it here, right?”
Everyone gave him surprised looks.
“I know that look on your face, Koki. He is the one you decided for already”, Jin said and then turned to his father. “And you favour him, too.”
Kazuya stared at Jin, as he looked back.
“I didn’t have to listen to anyone else. I had made up my mind from the beginning.”
Kazuya felt his heart beat race up and he gripped the armrests of his chair. What was Jin up to? Hadn’t he said he wouldn’t let Kazuya have what he wanted?
What was going on?
Jin smiled at him and if it hadn’t been for the sharp look in his eyes, Kazuya would have thought he meant it honestly.
“That means you get the job”, Jin said and got up, offering Kazuya his hand. “Welcome as the new manager of Redline.”
Kazuya stood up, too and threw a confused look to Koki. He was still waiting for Jin to take it back or withdraw the offer, but he didn’t.
His eyes met Jin’s, as their hands touched and he knew he was in trouble. Jin was up to something and Kazuya could tell already that he wouldn’t easily get out of it.
He would probably regret having even just come here; regret that he had developed that weird desire for Jin and that he had driven it as far as to apply for a job at his side.
That one look at Jin made him sure that he would - Jin would definitely make him regret.
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Thank you so much for reading ♥
My loveliest greetings to murasaki_aisora, as her icon gave me the idea for that scene in the lift ;)
Pairing: Akanishi Jin x Kazuya Kamenashi //Akame//
Genre: Romance, AU
Rating: PG-13 and up.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. I don't make profit with this.
Summary: The first impression counts and Kazuya's first impression of Jin is not the best. However, Jin is determined to get to know Kazuya - and Kazuya makes up a few lies, which suddenly become huge... And then, the tide is turning. A/N: English isn't my mother tongue, but I've been living in the UK for quite a time, so I basically write and speak well. You're welcome to correct any mistakes, though. Of course.
Okay, honestly ♥♥♥ YOU GUYS!!!! I don't know how to tell you just how happy I am for all your comments. I didn't get around to answer all of them yet and I wanted to wait with posting this, until finishing answering all comments, but... I just don't get around to it. But I will, I'll take my time these days and answer all left comments. I just want you guys to know that I am happy for each and every single word you left and I will properly reply!!!
Until then, have fun reading the next chap :)
Kazuya didn't learn too much, I am afraid v.v
Previous Chapters:
First Lie: Who am I?
Second Lie: Find Me
Third Lie: Exposed
Fourth Lie: On Repeat
Kazuya stood in front of the hotel, stared up to the front, the long aisle that led to the entrance; wooden doors, heavy and pompous, elegant and decorated in gold.
He sighed as he lifted the letter in his hand and looked at it again. It was the nth time this morning; during his time in the library, he had looked at it again and again, had tried to find a way out, a way to keep what he had, but each time again, he figured the only way he had was to go in there and hand that letter over.
Jin had made his point very clear.
It was almost noon by now, so Jin was probably angry already that Kazuya hadn’t handed in the letter earlier. It was about time.
With heavy steps, Kazuya walked in, a porter greeted him friendly and he nodded his head. The carpet beneath his feet was soft and cushioned his steps, it felt like walking on cotton.
He looked around the huge lobby, the soft red carpet, the beige and gold walls, the seating arrangements, the reception and the lifts on both sides; everything perfectly in harmony and in a radiance of elegance and class --- it was the kind of hotel Kazuya had always wanted to create.
It left a small sting in his heart that a person like Jin was able to do it; create this, make it look exactly the way Kazuya hand always wanted his own one to look like.
He approached reception and waited for the girl to notice him and to ask him what she could do.
“Is Akanishi-san in?”
She nodded. “He’s in his office, I think. Do you have an appointment with him?”
“Not exactly”, Kazuya answered. “I am working in the hotel bar, he wanted to see me.”
“Ah, I see. If you come through, please, I show you to him.”
Kazuya nodded and went to the side, opening a door that led into reception. He followed the girl through a few small office rooms, then she knocked a dark wooden door, before she opened it.
Kazuya thanked her, before he stepped in.
The man at the desk gave him a curious look, papers in front of him, a pen in his hand.
“Excuse me, Sir”, Kazuya said, not less confused. “I’m Kamenashi. I had come to talk to your son.”
There was no doubt it was Jin’s father; Kazuya had noticed the similarity in their faces straight away.
“In what matter did you want to speak to him?” He smiled slightly. “I might be able to help.”
Kazuya nodded and stepped forward, until he stood in front of the table. “I wanted to hand in my resignation.”
Akanishi gave him a surprised look. “You’re working in the hotel?”
“I have been working in the bar for a few weeks, Sir.”
“And you’re already quitting?” He gripped the letter. “Don’t you like the job?”
Kazuya shook his head. “I enjoy the job more than anything.”
“Then why would you quit?”
“Well...” Kazuya swallowed. “Your son asked me to.”
Akanishi frowned at that. “At the bar, you say?”
Kazuya nodded.
Not saying anything more, Akanishi picked up the phone and dialled a few numbers, then he said: “Yamashita-kun to my office, please.”
Kazuya’s eyes widened and he instinctively stepped forward. “Sir...”
“I don’t want any misunderstandings. Jin is allowed to lay off anyone, but for any department there’s a head and I prefer to have their opinion, too.”
Kazuya just stared at him in disbelief, then someone knocked the door, before it opened.
“You wanted to see me?”
Kazuya turned and looked at Yamashita, who gave him a surprised look, as he entered the room. “Kamenashi?”
“This young man has been working with you at the bar, Tomohisa?”
Yamashita nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
“Why did Jin lay him off?” Akanishi leaned back in his chair.
“I am not quite sure”, Yamashita answered honestly. “I think it was a personal matter.”
They both looked at Kazuya now and he shrugged a shoulder. “We’ve been involved personally and I lied to him about a few things.” Kazuya swallowed. “Including the fact that I had started working here, so he assumed I had used him to get the job here in the bar.”
Akanishi looked back at Yamashita. “Did Jin ask you to give him the position at the bar?”
“No, Sir. I hired Kamenashi-san.”
“And did you know that he knew Jin?”
Yamashita shook his head. “I didn’t know they were privately involved with each other.”
Akanishi smiled slightly. “Were you satisfied with Kamenashi’s work?”
“If you want to know”, Yamashita answered, “if I had laid him off, the answer is no. He did a very good job.”
Akanishi nodded and leaned in, shoving the letter back into Kazuya’s direction. “Then, I can’t accept this.”
Kazuya stared. “Sir...”
“The head of the bar is satisfied with you, so why wouldn’t I keep a good member of the staff?”
“Because your son...”
“... makes decisions based on his short temper. His personal affairs have nothing to do with my hotel. If he has a problem with you in private, he can’t solve it by getting rid of you that way.” Akanishi smiled again and pointed at the letter. “If you don’t take it back, I’ll just throw it away right here.”
With a shaky hand, Kazuya gripped the letter, before he bowed to the man.
“Discuss any further details with Yamashita-kun. I have work to do.”
Kazuya heard the door being opened and turned, bowed again at the door, before he followed Yamashita out.
“Where is Jin”, he asked, as soon as the door was closed again.
Yamashita gave him a long look. “Gone to Osaka this morning.”
“What?” Kazuya followed him, as Yamashita turned and walked off. “So what am I supposed to do now?”
“Turn up to your shift at seven tonight, I suppose.”
“But Jin fired me.”
“And Akanishi-san just made clear that it’s not valid.” Yamashita smiled slightly at Kazuya. “I am on Jin’s side, because he’s my best friend and you got him really bad with those lies.”
Kazuya bit his lip.
“But I am also happy I don’t have to let you go. You’re doing quite well at the bar.”
“Jin’s going to be upset when he comes back and finds me still working here.”
“He’s going to hate it.”
“So, shouldn’t I....”
“No”, Yamashita interrupted and stopped, turning to him. “His father is right. He can’t fire you because of personal reasons. You’re doing nothing wrong in your job, in fact, you are pretty much excellent.”
Kazuya sighed. “He’s going to make this job a living hell for me.”
Yamashita shrugged, before he went on. “You deserve it. I see you at seven tonight!”
Kazuya stayed behind in the lobby and looked after Yamashita with a rather insecure expression.
He probably really did deserve it.
“He won’t return for the next month?”
Yamashita nodded and sorted some bottles, while Kazuya checked on glasses.
“Why would he leave for so long?”
“He’s taking care of the Osaka hotel for a while.”
Kazuya frowned. “Is it not going well, or why would they send him?”
“It’s more of the other way around.” Yamashita gave Kazuya a look over his shoulder. “He’s just checking on everything, before one of the managers who’s worked here takes that one over.”
It was a quiet night at the bar. Just a few guests were sitting in one of the corners, the light was dim, the music slow and quiet and Kazuya and Yamashita stood at the bar, waiting for the shift to end, so they could close the bar.
“Akanishi-san is going to retire next month, that’s why.”
Kazuya nodded slightly. “So, Jin is preparing for the next manager to take over Osaka and he will take over this one.”
Yamashita nodded and moved from behind the counter, as the guests left to clear the table. “He had taken over this one already. Now, it only gets official.”
“I see.” Kazuya put the glasses to a tray and as he was on his way back to the counter, he turned again and stared at Yamashita. “That means...”
The older one smirked slightly. “I wondered how much longer it would take you to get the idea.”
“There’s a free position in management here.”
Yamashita nodded. “But you better forget about that again. You haven’t even graduated from university and you don’t have any experience. They wouldn’t even take you on for the trial period.”
Kazuya pouted. “Are you sure?”
“Well, all I am absolutely sure of is Jin making the decision in the end. And he won’t pick you.”
“But he won’t be here for a month”, Kazuya gave into consideration. “So, if I do well and impress his father, I might stand a chance.”
“You expect too much of yourself.”
Kazuya shook his head. “No, I don’t think I am.”
When he was on his way home later on, he decided that he had to give it a try. Redline Hotels was the place he had always wanted to work at and if he chose a clever way, he could definitely make it.
Tomorrow, he would find out more about that and what was officially required for the job.
If he met those requirements, they didn’t even have a right to refuse him without having put him through an interview or trial.
The only problem would be Jin, he thought. If it was true that Jin would make the decision together with his father in the end, Kazuya wouldn’t make it.
Jin would never give him that job, there was just no way. After everything that had happened, Jin would use that opportunity to pay him back the best he could.
And the best he could was destroying that dream of Kazuya’s.
He sighed, as he opened the door to his apartment and stumbled in. Kicking off his shoes, he made his way to the kitchen, had a glass of water, before he fell to the couch in the living room. He was too lazy to get to the bedroom and change. It was probably better to have a nap here first and move later.
One week, Kazuya thought, while he was falling asleep. In one week, he would take the final exam and then, he would get that damn job at the hotel and finally get where he always wanted to be.
Independent and successful, being the manager at a first class hotel.
Jin’s first class hotel, it crossed his mind, before the lights finally switched out.
Jin yawned, as he got back up into his suite. He had ordered dinner up, but it had turned cold already, as he had taken forever to get away downstairs.
Today had been busy.
It had been his first week in Osaka and those first days always were busiest. He had to get used to everything, work through all schedules, get to know the staff and their habits. It may was the same hotel company, but the way it functioned and worked, the intern methods and concepts were depending on its staff.
By now, Jin thought he had gotten through to it. Most of them were easy to get along with and not too different from his staff in Tokyo.
Stretching, he went to the huge window and looked at the bright night lights of Osaka. He had taken off his jacket and loosened his tie. Burying his hands in his pockets, he looked out of the window for a while, watching the lights, the streets and the dark sky.
Then, he frowned and he pulled one hand from his pocket, a small piece of paper in his hands. Unfolding it, he stared at it for a moment, then he lowered his hand again and he looked out of the window for a little longer.
It was Kazuya’s number; just that one little note he had been so damn happy about just a week ago. Yet, he had never called the number, as everything had turned around just a day later.
It probably wasn’t Kazuya’s number, however.
Jin hesitated for a moment, then he cursed himself and took out his mobile, dialling in the number.
It rang and he was almost about to cut the connection, when that familiar voice answered.
“Hello?”
Jin kept quiet for a moment, couldn’t say anything. Why had he called in the first place?
“Hello?” Kazuya repeated.
“It’s Akanishi”, Jin answered.
He heard Kazuya gasp slightly. “Eh, hi.”
“I just found your notice in my pocket and I got curious if you lied about the number, too.” Jin turned from the window to the room and went over to his couch.
“Well, obviously, I didn’t.”
“Surprises me, actually”, Jin commented. “It’s not very careful to give your real number, when everything else about you is fake.”
Kazuya kept silent for a moment. “I wanted to meet up to tell you the truth, so I don’t think there was anything wrong with it.”
“There was a lot wrong with it.” Jin’s voice was low. “Anyways. I am in Osaka, so I couldn’t check, if you handed in your resignation.”
“You told me to, why wouldn’t I have done it?”
Jin frowned slightly over Kazuya’s offensive tone. “It’s not like I could trust you.”
Kazuya waited a moment, then he answered: “I showed up Saturday morning, just as you told me to hand in my resignation. You weren’t in, so I had to see your father.”
“Could you find another job already?”
“What”, Kazuya asked mockingly. “Are you worried for me?”
Jin pulled a face at that. “No, I was just curious. I am trying to be nice, you see.”
“I don’t think there’s any reason for you to be nice to me.”
“You should appreciate it a little more”, Jin answered with his teeth grinded.
“I could go back to a bar I worked at before”, Kazuya just said. “And I applied for a job in management. My final exams are on Monday and on Tuesday, I’ll take an interview. So, no worries, I get along without you perfectly fine.”
Jin raised a brow, waited a moment. “As long as it’s not my hotel you’re working at”, he commented.
For just a moment, Kazuya didn’t shoot back straight away and Jin was already about to add something, then Kazuya said: “It’s your loss.”
“I don’t think a person I can’t trust and who is not doing his job with honesty is a loss for me.” Jin leaned back. “I doubt it.”
“We’ll see”, Kazuya murmured.
Jin waited a moment, wanted to say more, but he knew he’d only make it worse. He had not called to fight; he didn’t want to be involved with Kazuya in any way again.
“In any case, I was just curious about the number. You don’t need to save mine; I won’t save this one.”
“Didn’t plan to save your number”, Kazuya commented. “I wouldn’t know what to use it for.”
“Well, then we agree.”
“Apparently.”
Jin waited another second, as if he thought in the end, Kazuya would probably say something, just anything to win Jin back. But Kazuya didn’t and Jin couldn’t tell why he ached for it somewhere in the depths of his heart.
“Goodbye then”, he just said coolly and cut the connection.
It was pathetic, Jin thought and stared at the display, how attached he felt to that guy, although he had never even once called him by his real name and everything Jin knew about him was a lie.
How could he be sure that what he thought to know about Kazuya Kamenashi now, wasn’t a lie again? Probably he had found out his name, but was the rest true? Kazuya might had lied to Yamashita, as well.
Jin clicked his tongue and got up from the couch, walking over to the huge king size bed.
He just wouldn’t think about it anymore - it was over, however.
Back in Tokyo, Kazuya stared at the display of his mobile, too, before he groaned and closed his eyes, putting one arm over his face.
He lay on his back on the floor. When he had heard Jin’s voice, he had felt the urge to sit down for a moment and the couch had seemed too far away.
Why had he lied again? Why could he not have said what was really going on?
Okay, he had not exactly lied... Kazuya sighed and shook his head. No, Jin would see it as a lie, that much was clear.
He looked at the display again, stared at the few little numbers and the field that had popped up beneath them.
Save Number?
Kazuya stared at it, his thumb hovering over the No, before he bit his lip and moved it over, pressing the Yes.
He typed in Jin and then pressed OK, before he put the mobile away and stared at the ceiling.
Even though he had made a mistake again, Jin wouldn’t return for another three weeks. He wouldn’t return, before Kazuya’s trial period was over.
If he got through the interview, Kazuya thought with a sigh. He rolled over and curled up.
He was only after the job, nothing else. Jin wouldn’t get in his way - in no possible way. Kazuya only had to keep his mind off of what that kiss had been like and he would be okay.
He could handle Jin.
It was not yet over.
“This is Tanaka Koki-san”, Akanishi introduced a young man to his right. “He is going to train the five of you during these two weeks of your trial period.”
Kazuya bowed together with the other four man, as Akanishi left the room, then he sat down again, looking at the man sitting at the top side of the table.
He had seen him before.
That one night, he had been with Jin in the club and Kazuya had thought he looked scary. In day light, he looked scary, too, but with that suit and the papers in front of him, he looked very professional. Apparently, Kazuya thought and crossed his fingers, watching Tanaka closely, he couldn’t remember, however. He had looked at Kazuya during the interview, but nothing had lit up in his face that gave a sign of recognition.
“I am pleased to meet all of you”, Tanaka said and smiled slightly. “I tell you from the start, this is not going to be easy on you. In the end, we can pick only one of you five.”
Kazuya still couldn’t tell how he had gotten this far; Akanishi had been rather surprised, when Kazuya had handed in an application, but as he met all the requirements, he could not have refused it, so with an amused smile, he had invited Kazuya to an interview.
He had been sure he wouldn’t pass the interview, but both Akanishi and Tanaka had been very serious and had been agreed on taking Kazuya on a trial.
So, that’s where he was now - his first day of trial. Together with four other contestants, he was sitting in one of the huge conference rooms on the 27th floor of the hotel, getting instructions.
As they were done and left the room, one of them approached Kazuya with and walked next to him.
“Hey, I’m Iio Kensaku.” He smiled friendly. “Nice to meet you.”
Kazuya nodded his head slightly, returning the smile. That guy was the only younger one, too; the others all were in their forties or fifties already. He was tall, had short brown hair and rather small eyes, but his features looked gentle and nice.
“I’m Kamenashi Kazuya”, he answered. “I’m looking forward to work with you.”
“Well, we’re rivals, in the end”, Kensaku said. “But I’d more prefer working together, too. How old are you”, he added then.
“I’m twenty-five.”
“So young”, Kensaku replied. “I’m twenty-eight.”
Kazuya laughed slightly. “That makes me the youngest, I guess.”
“Do you even have experience yet? Or is this your first time applying?”
Kazuya nodded. “I just finished university a little more than a week ago.”
Kensaku looked impressed. “I am surprised they accepted you then!”
“I am, too”, Kazuya admitted. “I didn’t think they would.”
“Okay!” Tanaka turned around to them, as they came to a halt in the huge front lobby. “Rather than explaining our structures and concepts, I will have you guys figure them out yourself.” He smiled again. “This whole trial is basically to figure out how you work and react to all kinds of situations. So, don’t hold back. I will not make any decisions. Should there be a problem occurring, I won’t interfere, but instead just watch how you solve it.”
Kensaku leaned in to Kazuya. “That’s going to be interesting.”
Kazuya just nodded and watched the other three guys. It would get difficult; five of them with five different opinions. One had to stand up to the others to win this and Kazuya didn’t like those kinds of fights at all.
But there was no choice for him, but to fight.
After all, he wanted to come out on top in the end and he would do anything to accomplish that.
The days were flying by, Kazuya thought, as he came into the hotel on the last day of his trial period.
Today, they would make a decision and Kazuya couldn’t tell, where he stood. He had not been doing too bad, but probably, it hadn’t been enough. After all, he had decided to just go with his gut feeling for every situation they had been thrown in.
He did have experience in this field, but other than his four rivals, he had never actually worked in a managing position. Kazuya was sure that gave him quite some disadvantage.
Another problem was, how Kazuya had figured out by now, that the one who got the job, would work with Jin every day. It was not the position of being this hotel’s manager, but Jin’s Co-Manager.
And Kazuya wasn’t sure, if he wanted this.
Working in a Redline Hotel as a Manager - that was what he wanted, it was definite. But working with Jin, Kazuya wasn’t sure if he wanted that.
By now he had figured that that one single kiss had been more stirring, fiery than Kazuya wanted to admit. He couldn’t forget about it and he hadn’t felt that attracted in a long, long time.
He wanted Jin in a way he couldn’t grasp himself; a way that made him forget everything else, as long as he could figure a way to get closer to Jin. And get more of what he had tasted.
Kazuya sighed and pressed the button of the lift, waiting for it to come.
He wore a grey suit, a black shirt beneath and his tie had an amber colour. He had invested quite some money into this suit and he wasn’t sure where exactly he was supposed to wear it, if he wouldn’t get this job.
He stepped into the lift, a few men followed and he said “27 please” to a man, before he turned and saw Jin stepping out of the reception, his eyes glued to a file he had in his hand.
Kazuya gasp slightly and lowered his look, cursing under his breath.
What was Jin doing here? He was not supposed to be back already! Why was he back?
Kazuya just wanted those doors to close already, so he could get out of Jin’s sight. He prayed Jin wouldn’t look up now, see him.
Everything would be over in that moment.
The doors started closing and Kazuya relaxed his position already, when someone held the door and Kazuya heard another person going on. He stared at his shoes, waiting for the doors to close again and the lift to go on.
“Thanks”, he heard the person who just got on murmur and his head shot up in surprise. Jin stood at the other side of the lift, just barely two feet from him, still staring at his papers.
The lift started moving and Kazuya kept staring at Jin in disbelief, then the lift stopped again and the other two men got out, which left Kazuya alone with Jin.
Why was the twenty-seventh floor so high up? Kazuya stood like a statue, didn’t even dare breathing.
He saw Jin moving his hand to the buttons, pressing the red one and the lift stopped.
Kazuya still stared at Jin’s hand, as he closed the file and slowly turned to Kazuya.
“I guess you didn’t book one of our suits, did you?”
Kazuya moved his look to Jin’s face and he slowly shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”
Jin raised a brow and opened the file again. “So, you applied for the open position in management.”
“It just happened to...”
“The job interview was for this?” Jin stepped a little closer. “The old job you could go back to was here at the bar?”
“You just asked, if I handed in my resignation.” Kazuya drew back to the wall of the elevator.
“Are you saying your lies are justified?” Jin raised his voice and closed the distance, slamming his fist to the wall next to Kazuya’s face.
He was too close, Kazuya thought. This wouldn’t end well - he would make a complete fool of himself, if Jin didn’t step away. “I would have been an idiot to ignore this.”
Jin growled and leaned in closer. “You are an idiot for even trying.”
Kazuya took a shaky breath and he let his look fall to Jin’s lips for a moment - just a short weak second. Then he looked at Jin’s eyes again. “Don’t you think someone probably waits for the lift?”
Jin smirked, his face close to Kazuya’s. “There are eleven more to choose from for them.”
“I need to go up”, Kazuya added. “I’ll be late.”
“The interviews won’t start until I am there.” Jin felt Kazuya shiver slightly and he observed his face more closely. “What did you come here for?”
“I want this job.”
Jin noticed. There was something in Kazuya’s eyes, something about the way his body tensed, that gave Kazuya away.
To probe Kazuya - and probably to probe himself, too - Jin leaned in and caught Kazuya’s lips, gave him just a tempting, short nibbling, a taste of what he could have.
And Kazuya immediately reacted. He didn’t stand a chance, his body gave in, his mind lost to his needs and he responded to the kiss. His defence was like a sandcastle against the waves, crumbling in seconds and everything that was left, was the desire he had tried to repress for weeks.
Jin knew he had won. He had all trumps in his hands, Kazuya couldn’t stand a chance.
Jin reached out and pressed the button for the twenty-seventh floor again, still drawing Kazuya to the wall. The lift started moving and Jin watched Kazuya’s face, the unsteady eyes, the shaky lips.
Something about him was dangerous; something that made Jin want him so much, even though he knew Kazuya was the worst of kind.
A liar, nothing but a liar.
Jin tilted his head and his lips stroke over Kazuya’s temple. “You know I won’t let you have it.”
Kazuya let go of his breath, tilted his head to look at Jin and they were close again, their lips almost touching.
Jin stepped back and the lift reached the right floor.
“What you want most”, Jin added. “I won’t let you have it.”
Kazuya stayed behind, as Jin got off first, then he followed and straightened out his jacket, trying to adjust it.
Jin greeted the other men, who were already waiting with a slight bow, then he entered the room.
“Dad”, he said and his father turned to him. Then he saw Koki and smiled. “Hey.”
“You’re late”, his father just said.
“Something kept me”, Jin answered and sat down next to his father. “So, let’s start, we shouldn’t make those guys wait any longer.”
Koki threw him a look. “I decided already which one I would pick.”
Akanishi opened the file in front of him. “Same here.” He threw Jin a look.
“I am meeting all of them for the first time”, Jin just said. Then he pointed at the door and the young woman standing next to it went out and came in again with the first of the five men.
“Iio Kensaku”, Jin read the name and smiled at the man. “Nice to meet you.”
He listened to what he had to say and to his father’s and Koki’s opinion, asked him if he had liked the trial period and other questions.
Jin did the same for the next one, interested in their experience and stories. He let Koki talk to them most, as he knew them quite well by now and it was also mostly Koki, who could give a proper rating of their performance in the hotel.
Jin looked up, as Kazuya was the third one to walk in. He smiled as kindly as he had smiled at the other ones and to Kazuya’s defense he had to say that he didn’t sound the least nervous.
“So”, Jin said and looked at the file in front of him. “You worked at Fairy View’s before.”
Kazuya nodded and gave him a short glance. “For about two years, yes.”
“Why did you stop there?”
“My first years at university didn’t allow me a full-time job anymore, so I quit and started a part-time job in another hotel.”
“You jobbed in quite some hotels”, Jin noticed.
“I always knew I wanted to do it for a living, so I looked for jobs in hotels, yes.” Kazuya shifted in his chair.
“Fairy View is our biggest rival in business”, Jin added. “Did you know that?”
“The Ueda family is running quite a huge hotel concern”, Kazuya agreed. “I only just got to the job of a receptionist, what didn’t give me too much insight into their concepts and structures.”
Jin nodded and looked at his father, then at Koki. “Honestly, I think we can stop it here, right?”
Everyone gave him surprised looks.
“I know that look on your face, Koki. He is the one you decided for already”, Jin said and then turned to his father. “And you favour him, too.”
Kazuya stared at Jin, as he looked back.
“I didn’t have to listen to anyone else. I had made up my mind from the beginning.”
Kazuya felt his heart beat race up and he gripped the armrests of his chair. What was Jin up to? Hadn’t he said he wouldn’t let Kazuya have what he wanted?
What was going on?
Jin smiled at him and if it hadn’t been for the sharp look in his eyes, Kazuya would have thought he meant it honestly.
“That means you get the job”, Jin said and got up, offering Kazuya his hand. “Welcome as the new manager of Redline.”
Kazuya stood up, too and threw a confused look to Koki. He was still waiting for Jin to take it back or withdraw the offer, but he didn’t.
His eyes met Jin’s, as their hands touched and he knew he was in trouble. Jin was up to something and Kazuya could tell already that he wouldn’t easily get out of it.
He would probably regret having even just come here; regret that he had developed that weird desire for Jin and that he had driven it as far as to apply for a job at his side.
That one look at Jin made him sure that he would - Jin would definitely make him regret.
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Thank you so much for reading ♥
My loveliest greetings to murasaki_aisora, as her icon gave me the idea for that scene in the lift ;)