Work Text:
The morning rush hour wasn’t too forgiving today. The heavy rains had made the traffic a little bit worse and some road construction didn’t really help in keeping the twins from stressing out. The car’s temperature was at a comfortable setting, the speakers playing some calming traditional Japanese music and the scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the cabin.
“I can’t believe we’re going to be late for the first time in forever” Ei hissed at the driver’s side, one hand on the wheel, coffee on the other. “We’re never late.”
“I know, but there’s nothing we can do about it.” Makoto replied at the passenger’s side, scrolling through her tablet, reading and responding to some emails. “We don’t command the weather and the city’s choice of construction schedules.” She says with a disappointed tone, taking a sip from her coffee cup.
The twins are always known to be on the dot, especially for Ei. As the company’s Chief Technical Officer, she is keen on consistency and her eyes are always on the goal. Makoto however, is a little laid back for a president and CEO. She does a good job keeping track of operations, management and her connections. Dealing with clients is her forte, while her sister does the gritty work, the actual money making machine of the company. After all, Ei is the one with a master’s degree in computer science and engineering while Makoto is the business school prodigy.
Ei lets out a sigh. “Can you message Miko and let her inform the dev teams that I won’t be joining them in their stand-ups? They can just send me their updates via email.” She takes a sip from her cup, slightly disappointed that it has gone a bit cold from the air conditioning. “Since you’re already on your tab.”
Makoto looks at her, raising an eyebrow. “Oh, why me? Why don’t you message her yourself?”
“I’m driving. I have to keep an eye on the road”
“The traffic is barely even moving. You can just pick up your phone and call her.” Makoto responds.
“She’s going to be in a meeting right now and I don’t want to disturb her with a call”
“Hmmpf. How come you know her exact schedule? You’re not her secretary.” Makoto teases, focusing on her tablet again, opening their company’s messaging service and searches up Yae Miko’s profile to send Ei’s message.
A tinge of pink strokes through Ei’s cheeks at the remark. She suddenly feels a lump on her throat and starts to sound nervous. “W-what?! I… I just happen to know because I’ve been meeting with her for that Mondstadt Project. She’s the project manager for that. It’s going to be concluded soon.” She grips the wheel tightly now and suddenly feels warmer so she lowers the temperature.
“I know that. But I’ve been seeing her leave you some sweets on your table. You even hang out pretty often for lunch.” Makoto teases. “Tell me, Ei. What’s going on between you two?” She chuckles as she finishes typing Ei’s message to Miko and presses send. She presses the side button of her tab to lock it and rests it on her lap. She shifts her position and faces Ei, whose face is now visibly red from embarrassment.
Ei is struggling to find the words to explain. But she grips the wheel tighter, she can feel her heart rate increase. She takes a deep sigh and closes her eyes.
“Okay. We’re dating. Well, we just started dating” Ei confesses.
Makoto’s eyes widen in excitement and smiles mischievously. She laughs softly at the revelation. “I knew it. I sensed it from the very beginning.”
“You could tell?”
“Oh dear sister, it’s been very obvious to me.”
“But we try so hard not to make it obvious though?”
“And it worked, for the other people in the office, but not me. I’m your twin Ei, I could tell if you’re in distress, anxious, and even in love. Same goes for you too.”
Ei laughs at the remark. “Yes, you’re right. I guess twin telepathy is really a thing.”
“I can see with the way you look at her, and how she looks at you. I even knew when you started crushing on her.” Makoto teases as she finishes her cup of coffee. “I even wondered when you would start making a move.”
“That’s foolish. II’m not the type to confront unless they themselves show any interest.” Ei replies with a serious tone but she’s still slightly embarrassed at her sister’s statements and how on point they were.
“I know that too. And apparently, Miko as well. She’s been good at this guessing game. I’ve been observing that it was honestly very entertaining for me until it wasn’t anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“Both of you took a long time to make a move so I had to pull some tricks up my sleeve.” Makoto smiles at her sister like a villain revealing their plot for evil.
Ei shoots her a very confused look.
“You see, Ei, I arranged for her to be the manager of that Mondstadt project. It was originally going to be for Sara since she has handled a similar project before. But I figured why not give it to Miko, she’s got the skills and it would be a chance for you to get closer. Oh and move, the traffic’s clearing up”
Ei immediately looks forward and starts accelerating, trying to process this revelation.
“Wait a minute. Why are you only telling me this now?” Ei’s nervousness has left her body but she’s still a bit shaky, probably from the coffee and the air conditioner. “So you planned this all along, Makoto?”
Makoto teases her with a laugh. “Yes, you could say that. And I knew it would work.”
Ei doesn’t respond, she focuses on the road and it’s finally clearing up. They’ll be at the office soon enough.
“I know you’re probably pissed at me but you know I did nothing wrong, Ei. I’m simply the invisible wing woman” Makoto laughs again. “But what kinda disappoints me is that you never told me about her.”
Guilt starts to settle in Ei’s stomach but she replies “I was scared, honestly. That you would be against it. I know office relationships aren’t forbidden but I didn’t want to make you think that badly of it.”
“Oh me? Goodness, Ei, I would never! I’m actually happy that you got yourself a girlfriend now. And if you’re concerned with your performance with work, that’s a different thing. I trust you more than anyone in this world. And having a lovely woman by your side doesn’t hurt, no?” Makoto elbows Ei and they both laugh.
“Hey, quit it. I’m driving!”
Ei relaxes for a bit. Her shoulders feel less heavy and her grip on the wheel loosens.
“She is indeed lovely, sis. I’ve never met anyone as captivating as her.” Ei continues, trying not to daydream about her Miko while on the road.
“Well I’m glad you found each other then.” Makoto says as she adjusts herself, sitting straight and looks at the road in front of them. “Well, we’re almost at the office. Guess being late this morning wasn’t so bad. I got you to confess” She laughs softly.
“You know I can’t lie to you. And I know I can’t keep secrets from you. But please, Makoto, keep our relationship a secret.”
“Of course, Ei.”
They finally enter their office building and Ei swiftly parks their car on their designated spot. Right in front of them, a pink sedan is parked with a tiny fox plush hanging on its mirror. It was Miko’s car.
“I don’t remember her parking on this side of the floor.” Makoto points out.
“I, uh, requested the building manager to move her parking space here.” Ei blushes.
“Haha, oh sis, I wouldn’t be surprised if I start driving alone to work soon. At this rate, you might start living together.”
“Oh please, that stereotype does not fit Miko and I” Ei argues as they prepare their belongings and step out of the car.
They walk towards the elevator and Makoto enters their floor number and checks her watch.
“We’re only 15 minutes late, not so bad.”
They both stand in silence as they move up the building.
They’re a few floors to their office floor and Makoto asks “Can you promise me one thing, Ei?”
Ei seems surprised at the serious tone from her sister. “What is it, Makoto?”
“Please turn off the security cameras when you have sex in one of the meeting rooms.”
The elevator door opens before Ei could even respond and Makoto steps out first and greets everyone on the floor.
Ei is left standing inside, flustered and pink. She can’t move.
“Good morning, Miss Ei? Are you alright?” Yoimiya, their senior UX designer, asks as she was passing by.
“I-I’m fine! Good morning, Yoimiya.” Ei snaps out of her stiffened state and marches towards her shared office with her sister.
Ei opens the door, ready to give Makoto a piece of her mind but she stops herself when she sees Makoto and Miko chatting by her table.
“Oh there you are and I thought you were stuck in that elevator.” Makoto teases.
“Good morning, Miss Ei.” Miko greets her with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Miss Miko.” Ei tries to compose herself and settles her bag on her table.
“Anyway, thanks for bringing these documents in, Miko. I’ll be heading to my first meeting of the day then.” Makoto gets up, picks up a few folders and her laptop and she heads for the door. “Good luck for today, let’s do our best. Especially you two.” Makoto gives them a wink before she closes the door.
That particular work day was rather interesting for the Raiden twins. And it’s going to be interesting from then on.