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The more he thought about Kasuga Ichiban, the more frustrated he got. First he and his friends had come along and ruined a perfectly good protest. Then done it again. And again. He was starting to dread seeing that figure in the red suit - buttons undone to expose that muscular chest, charming smile catching the sunlight, bird's nest of hair that seemed so soft and touchable…
"Argh!" Kume slammed his fist on his desk. How dare Kasuga be so damned charismatic?! Kume felt like his brain was betraying him - how could he be developing a crush on a grey-zone loving criminal? Why couldn't his heart fall for one of the sweet young ladies on the Bleach Japan crew? Settle down and have a respectable marriage and children, buy a house in the country after he established a career in politics - everything his parents wanted for their son. His internal turmoil was interrupted by a knock on his office door.
One of the assistant BJ leaders stood waiting to speak with him.
"Sir? There's a… development in the campaign you need to see." Kume took the proffered copy of today's Kanagawa Shimbun. Staring at him from the front page was a familiar face. 'Number One in 2nd District? Newcomer Kasuga Ichiban Joins the Gubernatorial Race' read the headline.
"Seriously? Kasuga? Who on earth is funding his campaign?" Kume tossed the paper onto his desk.
"Apparently he's paying for it himself. He's CEO of a senbei and real estate firm called Ichiban Holdings."
Senbei and real estate?! Okay, he needed to clear his head. Get his mind back on track and concentrate on his own campaign.
"I'm going for a walk," Kume announced to his assistant. "I need to work out some strategies to deal with this. Don't call me unless it's an emergency." He stood and headed for the door, donning his jacket.
"Yes sir!"
An hour later, he found himself leaning on the railing of Fukutoku Bridge, staring out over the river, lost in thought. How was he going to survive campaigning and debating with the man who plagued his every waking thought? Why, out of every person in Japan, did he have to have a crush on him?
As if on cue, a certain crimson-suited miscreant appeared in the periphery of his vision. He turned sharply to get a better look. For once, Kasuga was alone, his entourage of misfits left behind at their dive bar.
At that moment, Kasuga caught his eye, the taller man waving hello.
"Hey there, Kume-san! Good luck to my fellow candidate, eh? May the best man win!" He strode toward Kume, a dopey smile on his handsome face.
'You have nothing left to lose,' piped up the voice in the back of Kume's mind. 'He's already always on your mind. Just go for it.'
As Kasuga stopped in front of him, arm extended to shake hands, Kume made his move. He reached up, grasping Kasuga's lapels firmly and pulling the shocked man into a kiss. He could feel Ichiban's tense posture relax after a moment, sinking into his embrace. Ichiban leaned back, pausing for breath and blinking in surprise.
"Wow. That was not what I was expecting from my competition. Guess this'll be a much friendlier debate than I anticipated," Ichiban chuckled, putting his arm around Kume's shoulder. "Why don't we get to know each other better over a drink?"
Kume could only smile and nod, his mind boggling that his impulse had paid off. He followed along with Ichiban, feeling like he was floating on air, heart racing as he realized his dream was coming true.