in true fashion to align with the prompt, this is late LOL @sihjrweek
Shit, shit, shit, this cannot be happening, Onodera Ritsu thought in absolute despair as the early morning train was delayed. He was supposed to be starting his brand new job at Marukawa Publishing today - only for the public transportation system to have completely different plans.
I’m going to be late on my first day, I’m going to get fired and have to immediately go crawling back to my father, it’s going to be so humiliating, Ritsu held back the desire to groan. He slumped slightly in his seat, at least grateful for the fact that he managed to snag one instead of needing to stand for the entirety of the delay.
“This is fucking bullshit…” The man beside him grumbled toward no one in particular - and Ritsu certainly did not disagree. The stranger was pulling out his cellphone and making calls, seeming to be warning those he worked with about his impending tardiness.
Although Ritsu did not try to eavesdrop, he couldn’t help but to overhear the man discussing pushing back a morning meeting with an author.
An author… Ritsu thought. What were the chances that the man he’s sitting beside also worked in publishing?
Ritsu didn’t really have the nose for networking, his anxiety preventing him from presenting his business card to the man next to him. Besides, he seemed to be having a bit of a tough morning, he probably didn’t want to be making any kind of business connection right now.
Instead, Ritsu decided to take advantage of having a little extra time on the train to take out a jelly packet he’d brought along with him in his rush to get out of his new apartment.
“Those aren’t good for you.”
Ritsu was surprised at the comment and didn’t even register that it was toward him as he did a double take toward the man sitting beside him.
“Are you speaking to me?” He asked in confusion.
“Yeah.” The guy said bluntly.
Ritsu fought back the urge to scowl at the unsolicited comment and instead laughed awkwardly.
“Yeah, I guess not…” He replied, not knowing how else to respond.
“A proper adult should eat a real breakfast.”
Ritsu blinked, “Do I…know you or something?” He asked, stunned at the fact that this stranger was speaking to him like this.
Ritsu couldn’t maintain the fake smile at that. “A proper adult should also know how to be polite.” He retorted.
The man blinked at that and his mouth twitched slightly in amusement - which only irked Ritsu more.
“Politeness does very little, in my experience. And it’s boring.”
Boring? Was that the man’s reason for annoying him? Because he was bored sitting here waiting for the train to keep moving?
“Well, I’m not exactly in the mood to amuse anyone. I’m already going to be late to my first day at a new publishing company and having my choice of breakfast criticized isn’t helping.”
“A publishing company? Which one?” The man asked.
Ritsu held back the urge to sigh. It wasn’t like he was getting off this train anytime soon, so he might as well extend the politeness this man found so trivial.
“Huh. Small world.” The man shifted to produce his own business card, holding it out toward Ritsu. “Looks like we’ll be working together. If you don’t get fired for being late, that is.”
Ritsu tried not to grimace, taking the card and reading ‘Takano Masamune’ along with the words ‘Editor-in-Chief’ which nearly gave him a heart attack until he realized that it was for the shoujo manga department.
Shoujo manga? Guess you really can’t judge a book by its cover, Ritsu thought.
“I’ll be in the literature department, so I’m not sure if we’ll be seeing much of each other.” Ritsu said, hoping that would be the case as this man’s attitude rubbed him the wrong way.
The stranger - Takano, apparently - simply shrugged.
