１４ Ｍａｙ， Ｍｉｚｕｍｉ Ｔａｋａｏｋａ
文字数 3,023文字
WFH Jealousy
“So working remotely is a thing even in your industry?” Since Kazutaka ’s workplace served food and drinks, they had no choice but to close down, but he never imagined Kudō would be on standby at home. It made sense given that the younger members of the group hung around the office all day, but “self-restraint” wasn’t something he associated very strongly with the criminal underworld.
“Aside from the live-in guys, everyone’s at home, and all the companies we’re affiliated with are closed.”
“Ah, gotcha.” There was no difference between legit or not. Everyone had to lock down, no exceptions—he knew that was the only way. “So Sawaki is—”
A gray jacket on the computer screen.
“Or is he. . . ?” Kazutaka’s guess was right on the money.
“I’ll put your coffee here.”
He had assumed Kudō was alone, but Sawaki was there and had just made him coffee.
“So you and Sawaki are quarantining together. Hmm. . . .”
“I didn’t have him over to play barista. It’s for work.”
“Eh, you don’t have to explain. It makes sense that you would prioritize him.” That wasn’t even really how he felt, so saying it that way left a bitter aftertaste. Now it looked like he was jealous of Sawaki.
Kudō half-smiled. “What day is it today?”
“May 14, right?”
“Yep. It’s May 14. I’m sure we only have to hold out a little longer.”
Kudō was right. They were on lockdown now because they believed a return to normal life was coming soon. He would work with Tsumori and Murakata, chuckle at what a duty-bound guy Sawaki was, and sometimes gaze up at the moon as he rode his scooter to Kudō’s place. Back to that normal life. . . .
Kazutaka nodded, unfurrowing his brow. Then he turned to the screen and said the words that best expressed his feelings at that moment.
“I can’t wait.”
Imagining the future right around the corner made him crack a smile.
Translated by Emily Balistrieri/Arranged by TranNet KK
Mizumi Takaoka
Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture. A Libra, with O blood-type. In addition to the VIP series, she has written many other novels in the BL genre.
“So working remotely is a thing even in your industry?” Since Kazutaka ’s workplace served food and drinks, they had no choice but to close down, but he never imagined Kudō would be on standby at home. It made sense given that the younger members of the group hung around the office all day, but “self-restraint” wasn’t something he associated very strongly with the criminal underworld.
“Aside from the live-in guys, everyone’s at home, and all the companies we’re affiliated with are closed.”
“Ah, gotcha.” There was no difference between legit or not. Everyone had to lock down, no exceptions—he knew that was the only way. “So Sawaki is—”
waiting
it
out
at
home,
too,
then.
.
.
.
He meant to bring up the other man casually, but what he saw at that moment made his breath catch. He blinked over and over, but apparently it wasn’t his imagination.A gray jacket on the computer screen.
“Or is he. . . ?” Kazutaka’s guess was right on the money.
“I’ll put your coffee here.”
He had assumed Kudō was alone, but Sawaki was there and had just made him coffee.
But
Sawaki’s
a
driver.
.
.
.
“So you and Sawaki are quarantining together. Hmm. . . .”
So
he’s
the
one
you
chose
, he couldn’t help but imply with his tone. And it irked him that Kudō couldn’t just make his own coffee.“I didn’t have him over to play barista. It’s for work.”
“Eh, you don’t have to explain. It makes sense that you would prioritize him.” That wasn’t even really how he felt, so saying it that way left a bitter aftertaste. Now it looked like he was jealous of Sawaki.
It
just
slipped
out
because
these
strange
circumstances
are
so
stressful.
That was the excuse he made to himself as he frowned, somewhat ashamed.Kudō half-smiled. “What day is it today?”
“May 14, right?”
“Yep. It’s May 14. I’m sure we only have to hold out a little longer.”
Kudō was right. They were on lockdown now because they believed a return to normal life was coming soon. He would work with Tsumori and Murakata, chuckle at what a duty-bound guy Sawaki was, and sometimes gaze up at the moon as he rode his scooter to Kudō’s place. Back to that normal life. . . .
Kazutaka nodded, unfurrowing his brow. Then he turned to the screen and said the words that best expressed his feelings at that moment.
“I can’t wait.”
What’ll
we
talk
about
next
time
we
meet?
What’ll
we
get
up
to?
There were so many things he wanted to say and do.Imagining the future right around the corner made him crack a smile.
Translated by Emily Balistrieri/Arranged by TranNet KK
Mizumi Takaoka
Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture. A Libra, with O blood-type. In addition to the VIP series, she has written many other novels in the BL genre.
