Thank you for the thnx as always. But now I do wonder if I will get a concrete pairing up soon and I'll leave it up to you all do decide on the pairing, whatever it may be but it may never happen at all
Chapter 3The smell of the light rain woke her up for the third day. The scent was delicate for her to retreat back for a few minutes but her thoughts heavy with work forced her to take a shower.
Aika left the same time as yesterday with her uniform on without any question for her mother. Ai picked out her clothes quickly, praying it would match up without considering nay of the consequences. She grabbed her purse and rushed downstairs to get a decent meal in the morning for once.
She took a seat and quietly ate breakfast with the sounds of her mother putting away dishes in the cupboard and her pot of hot water ready for tea. Ai glanced over to observe her mother and that warmth she gave made her wonder about creating a family of her own. With that thought ending, she got up and left for the station before her usual departure from home.
Ai was pushed inside with a familiar face pressing their bodies together like sardines for another day. The bean’s smile caught her attention as she felt arms wrapped around her.
“This is the best way to ride the train.” She murmured with her face dug into her back.
“How can I feel the same way?” She joked as Risa fisted her side.
“Itai!!!!!!” Ai yelled out capturing the attention of the other passengers.
Risa snugged up to avoid the eyes burning at her partner’s scream but apologize for the attention and went back to coiling her arms around Ai’s waist.
A few minutes later, as she checked out her friend, Ai saw a small bit of drool on the corner and grabbed her handkerchief to wipe it carefully. Risa opened her eyes to a cunningly cute smile presented by Ai not noticing the hanky in her far pocket.
“I had a dream about Eri and her adventure with whipped cream. I should mention that she once got frustrated with the aerosol can that she sprayed her mother.” Ai giggled as Risa wondered why she was more entertained than usual.
Risa glanced around but the lack of space was not helping her and waited for their stop to get off with Ai stuffing her bag without the bean noticing the evidence. The bean slowly lulled back to sleep but her weight started to pull down Ai’s skirt and with a sudden stop, Risa took down Ai and the rest fell like dominoes.
“Why am I on the ground?” She looked up at Ai as her hands were on her thigh and quickly removed them.
“Let’s get off before we get more attention.” Ai insisted as they picked up their stuff and started to walk into the train station and onto the street.
Ai paced toward the business district as Risa leisurely look around with time to burn before work. The bean jogged at a steady calling for her and caught up without any problems.
“Chotto Matte! You can slow down for me.” Risa reached out for her shirt and halted the progress of the older woman.
“Aren’t you in a hurry?” She asked with a grim look.
“No… Eri has the table prep for today. Are you irritated that I am with you?” Risa curiously stuck her neck out.
Ai looked up after the incident in the train and wanted to say the truth but she hoped for her to be less obnoxious. She stopped and looked back to flash a smile towards her.
“I guess it’s weird to have a person who seems attached to me but if you don’t mind to not try hard to be on my good side.” Risa nodded.
“Gomen… I didn’t want to be bothersome but rarely anyone talks to us outside of work. Many just pass by us without any words of good work and Eri thought it was something we did. However, it wasn’t that, but they look down at receptionist.” Ai held up her hand to stop the bean.
“You know that you service their customers with a greeting and a smile. I think that is enough to give you thanks but I don’t mind being your friend…” Ai extended out her hand and Risa pulled her towards her and gave her a hug.
“Eri should be happy that at least we have one person to enjoy our company.” She looked down at the bean with lasers shooting at her.
“I like Eri more than you.” Ai grinned at her as she started running towards the building with Risa tailing her from behind as she slipped into the open elevator and into her workplace.
She walked into her department and the smell of sweets filled their area as Goto-san laid out a box of freshly-made pastries. Ai scooted by with her eyes fixed on the food and managed to take a seat before an offer came to her to enjoy the food.
She hesitantly took a quarter-piece and placed it on top of the napkin as she punched in for work and opened her first folder to find a list of text.
Ai checked off her updates with the utmost precision and thought she was done until a brisk reminder about timing by Iida caused her to update without the previous changes and she had to redo everything which wasted half an hour on the same account.
After the disaster, she closed the folder and stepped out to the window right of the room. She let out a sigh as she viewed the downtown area and felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Gomen, I forgot about telling you that it was time-sensitive, I hope you aren’t too overwhelmed.” Iida’s voice pierced through her ears and nodded slowly.
“I should have asked about it before going forward on updating.” She spun around and seeing Iida with a can of juice in her hand.
“Take baby steps. The best thing is to learn little at a time, we don’t expect you to get everything in one try.” Ai nodded her head as she went back to the room but was stopped by Iida.
“Yaguchi has ordered food for the party in our area. Don’t tell anyone that we are taking in catering, unless you have someplace else to go.” Ai shook her head and went to the elevators to check on her step-sister.
As she was ready to go in, she remembered about the folder, and headed back without considering about the door. Aika had her face in her hands after a disastrous morning. The door opened and quickly closed as she headed down the elevator. Ai returned after cancelling the program and zoomed up to the cafeteria to the sound of yelling from a man.
She saw them lined up with watery eyes as they turned to Ai as he headed up to her.
“Is there something I can do for you?” His tone made Ai concerned as she scanned the group and noticed her sister was missing. She looked around the guy and one pointed toward the door as it seemed she was saying she was fired.
“I was wondering… what are the specials for lunch?” The guy walked to the back as the women started to mention that she left and Ai quickly confirmed her suspicions as the guy walked out with a menu.
Ai looked over the menu and gave it back as she walked out of the cafeteria to the dining room with the few enjoying their last part of the breakfast. She flipped her phone and called Aika but it was leading straight to her voice message leaving no other choice than to go back and ponder over Aika for the next few hours before her mother returned home from shopping.
She returned back as soon as possible to see a flashing message on her screen about a call from an unknown number. She placed the receiver onto her ear and quickly noticed it was a call from Aika but through the whimpering, she couldn’t make out the message and hanged up to gather her thoughts before working on a new folder.
Before she had met her sister, she was the only child with her father’s guardianship after her mother passed away from cancer at a young and as he tested dating soon after. She could pick out the women that she would be attracted to but it was the surprise of finding she had a baby sister a year after her mother’s death that shocked her.
Ai rejected the little sister that she began live with and more she would become distant with her father to the point that she would move out after high school but that day never came. Her father died an hour before the graduation ceremony with a stroke that took him out quickly. She stood outside with her certificate with no one to congratulate her and walked away without notice.
She arrived home to her step-mother crying and the news of her father’s passing. Ai looked at her mother and held out her fist in anger but relinquished her feelings into a hug. She knew it wasn’t her fault that he died but the unlimited amount of regrets hanged with her during her first year in college.
It wasn’t until the New Year’s break of the following year that she took a trip alone and talk to him at his grave. She shed a lot of tears and spilled all the regrets towards him for being a horrible daughter. After letting go her emotions, she was greeted by a priest who acknowledged the mistake she did but knew that forgiving would be the best thing for both as she could release the disappointment in her.
Ai was faced with the decision to continue on with school or come back to help out with Aika. Her mother was insistent that she continue as she looked after her step-sister. However, she wanted a month to gain back the sister she almost lost through anger against her father. She walked into the room and noticed her talking on the phone.
Before she could ask about the person on the phone, the doorbell rang, and she answered the door to find a female at the door with brownish hair and an attitude unlike anyone she had met. Ai turned toward her step-mother and waved at the unsuspecting female as she lowered her sunglasses. Her eyes were fixed on Ai as she walked into the house without a welcome greeting and sat on the couch with a pitcher of water on the table.
Ai walked back towards her room and the woman twisted her neck gazing at Ai as she walked upstairs to find Aika rushing back down to meet with her. She had felt awkward about the situation but she had to let the situation play out and finally when she was ready to go back, the woman had come over at the house when she was home alone, and pounced on Ai.
I never imagined your sister to be so easy to follow my orders. Maybe you can do the same because I think your sister will love the fact I am in love with you.Her words drove Ai to flip her onto the ground and slap her across the face as hard as she could with her right hand. She face turned pinkish right at the area of contact and got her one more time causing the skin to turn darker. Ai forced her out of the house and locked the door behind her.
Ai ran to the bathroom and washed her face quickly with thoughts running through her mind about the woman and the fear about Aika’s safety. She dialed Aika’s number and it went directly to the voice mail as she called her mother and luckily she answered to Ai’s panicked explanation. Her mother rushed home and knocked furiously to let her in without anybody following her in.
Ai didn’t know what brought her to attack Aika’s friend but she knew Aika would be in trouble and she waited inside hearing if she would call back. Her mother made dinner meanwhile with Ai’s crossing her fingers for her safe arrival and at 3:30 she arrived with her backpack and Ai sat her down to talk about her friend.
Aika was hesitant at first to talk about the mysterious friend but after the incident, Aika had explained that she was part of a small group of delinquents who were aiming for domination. They were doing petty stuff around the area so she assumed it would be worth the fun but it soon became a master/slave relationship with the hanging around the park so she could get action but leaving Aika alone sometimes to just have her lusty experiences.
Ai’s chest restricted about the stories and looked over at her envelope that she was going to return with about her schooling. Ai grasped it in her hands and placed them on either side until Aika grabbed her wrists.
Don’t worry about me, I know you have cared for me since I was little. You may never show it externally but I knew you cared because my mother has been informing me you talk because of your father. Don’t let me get in the way of your dreams.Ai released the envelope and let it fall to the ground as she dialed a number and walked away to another room to continue the conversation.
Since that day, she knew that she could trust her to make good decisions or at least make them after thinking them through a few times. Ai managed to return back to find her progressing through school and the delayed report against her. She managed to let it blow over as a self-defense mechanism against the woman and soon after she got sent to jail for evasion.
With the thought out of her mind, she was free from the concerns of the past that had haunted her and opened the next folder to do the updates carefully to get everyone up before the time limit. Her rhythm of inputting gave her confidence into managing to finish ¾ of the stack when lunch came around and food was brought in from outside for the four to enjoy.
Ai saw a box rolled into area and immediately closed the curtains off to the rest of the floor. Yaguchi lifted out a sushi platter and below that was fresh yakitori sticks with chicken and pork alternating in a row. Iida positioned the paper plates next to the food as the final container was pulled packed with ice and juices.
Iida went to the front of the room with a hint of happiness and held a stack of papers in front of her.
“Well this is the welcoming party for our new co-worker, Takahashi Ai. She will take over the inputting of work items and will work with other departments in streamlining their work.” They yelled out a cheer before lining up for their food.
After going through the line, she began to tell about her life, they were impressed about her accomplishments, and the fact that she was still single. With the three thinking of theories, Ai sunk into her seat about her lack of a partner and suddenly she had three pairs of eyes staring at her.
“Don’t worry about that.” Yaguchi nudged her as Ai took another piece of sushi to her mouth.
“You are still young to think about that. Like Iida and I, we are planning to have kids soon enough, as for Goto-san… I think it is safe that she is in the same boat but her boyfriend spoils her.” Maki moved in between them.
“I don’t get spoiled, he just gives me lavish things during anniversaries and my birthday. I feel bad that he accepts petty gifts from me…” Ai let out a snort.
“Well I guess you never intend him to be your slave and when you do return the favor, you feel bad that you can’t give the same. I think it is fine that you at least love him for what he does…” Yaguchi squeezed her body between the two.
“He works as a manager in a huge company.” Maki pushed her away as the elders laughed at her.
“I see. You have a catch for yourself.” Ai nervously laughed as Goto smiled at her.
The rest of the lunch period went by with a lot of talking and getting to know Ai as she got to learn about them. It was a productive meeting between of all of them as they slowly went back into their work. Konno entered after the party was over and handed over a stack of folders for the next day and Ai placed it below the previous stack. She looked over at the table where the leftovers were and helped her to a plate.
Ai looked at her folders and pushed through until half the stack was eliminated. She looked up at the clock noticing it was quarter to four and decided to take a mini break to refresh her eyes from the computer. She walked over to the break room to get a juice and saw a woman scanning through the newspaper.
“Hello, my name is Takahashi Ai.” She introduced herself as the woman glanced up at Ai.
“Fujimoto Miki here. I guess you must be new.” She flipped to the next page.
“Yes, I was just wondering what you do…” She flashed a smile.
“Secretary to the head analyst. He left for the day so I need to field the calls.” Ai tilted her head as she stood up and studied the noticeable bump.
“I see. I hope I see you around and I think I hear someone calling for you.” She quickly left as she struggled to get onto her feet.
The last hour was relaxed with the routine of getting folders for the next day and as soon as she wrapped up the retrieval and punched out to follow the crowd to the elevator. As they forced their bodies into the box, Ai began to feel someone touching her behind in a therapeutic way and the voice caused her to let out a yelp.
They all turned to Ai as she looked back to find the pregnant woman massaging her and let out a soft hum as she toyed with her until she could escape from her control. She turned to find the receptionists gone for the day and flipped her phone to find a voice message pending for her.
Ai opened up the voice mailbox and heard Aika’s voice through the receiver, she explained that the boss was scolding her for the mistakes and when she wanted to explain, Aika was forced to go back without an explanation, and she began to discuss the situation with a fellow worker, she was instantly forced into bathroom duty. Instead of going to get the items, she left without notice, and contacted the company that she had quit.
Then, right after the message, her phone rang, and noticed Aika was on the line.
“I got your message. I am disappointed in you for just quitting.”
“I know what I did. I don’t need the lecture from you.” Ai took a deep breath.
“I guess mom gave you the lecture. Well I’ll be home soon…” Aika hung up and Ai headed to the station to get home feeling the weight of her sister’s decision. She knew that drilling Aika would get her nowhere and letting her mother take care of the situation would be the best plan but in her mind she wanted to say she understood and come out with a drawn out explanation.
However, her body was exhausted from work and walked into the house without saying a peep. The three sat down eating their dinner without any conversation and Ai left the table first to bathe before sleeping as her sister laid down on the couch with her eyes fixed on the television.