Work Text:
Diana’s day as the CEO of Cavendish Pharmaceuticals often leaves her busy and makes her have no time to even think for herself, let alone having time to take breaks and actually eat on time. What should have been the time she usually goes over contracts that are tied to the company is instead replaced by interviewing people.
As she looks over the CVs and resumes by multiple applicants, she starts getting a headache. Diana tries to relieve it by slowly rubbing her temples before the next candidate comes in and gives her the generic answers she’s not looking for. Yes, they all have good degrees and accomplishments but none of them seem to have an ounce of a personality or passion that she is looking for. Whilst she gets that not everyone has the passion for it, for this specific role as head manager of HR she needs someone that people feel like they can actually come to.
Last time, they hired a person who ended up just not caring about the job. Any complaints about people or needed help just ended up being swept under the rug. The person even ended up trying to bully the others into not saying anything to the higher ups, so they weren’t fired from their job.
When Diana took over the company from her Aunt Daryl, she assumed that most people she had hired were actually competent at their job, but she guessed she put too much faith in her aunt. She let most people keep the same position when she took up the position of CEO since her main priority was building the reputation of Cavendish Pharmaceuticals back to its former glory. Daryl had hired friends rather than people that were up for the job.
Diana only ended up finding out when she was making rounds on the HR floor and heard the head manager shout at one the junior employees and clearly abusing his power. Diana delt with it swiftly and apologised to whole section for not realising this issue. Although it did bring a slight headache from Daryl saying how he was a “good friend” of hers and she didn’t need to act so rash. Because of this, Diana felt like she had to own up to this mistake and make sure that the next head was someone that would treat the employees under their jurisdiction fairly.
A static buzz before a voice came through on her the phone on her desk, “Miss Cavendish? Your next appointment is here.”
“Ah yes bring them through please, thank you Hannah.”
Diana quickly looked through the list and saw the next person goes by the name of Atsuko Kagari. Her CV was standard, listing her education and what she had done throughout her life. What caught her eyes was that she went to Luna Nova University, however, was in a different course of business. Must be why she has never heard of her, since she was in the stem side.
A knock came at the door, signalling the candidate’s arrival.
“Come in.”
Miss Kagari came through the door, with a professional attire of a white shirt with a black pencil skirt, perhaps hiked a bit too high because she had legs to die for. Diana quickly averted her gaze and snapped herself to not think inappropriate thoughts. She should not be getting distracted by some legs and thigh. What is she? A Victorian man seeing ankle for the first time? Yes, she’s a raging homosexual but damn it she will not let her gay tendencies get the way.
“Please, sit down Miss Kagari.” Diana gestured her hand towards the plush chair she has in front of her oak desk.
Miss Kagari sat down, and it forced her pencil skirt to lift even higher to show even more of milky skin. Diana quickly looked down at her the papers on her desk and tried to compose herself.
“So, Miss Kagari, what made you want to apply for this position?”
Akko looked nervous as she shifted in her seat and played with her fingers slightly.
“I looked up the company and saw that it was a good company that treats its employees fairly, instead of like pyramid schemes. My friend’s significant other works here and told me that from what she says it was a good company. Not only that but I believe this role is suitable for me, I can work well with others and make people feel comfortable and I am reliable. People often say that I’m easy to have fun with.”
Diana couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at that, she tried to hide the slight amusement on her face.
“You’re easy to have fun with?”
Akko’s face morphed into slight horror and embarrassment.
“I didn’t mean it like that oh my god. I meant like I can joke around and have fun in a non-sexual way, not that I can’t be in a sexual way.” Akko paused, her face reddening even more. “Please ignore that comment, that was not appropriate, I just happen to ramble when I’m nervous and I want to show that I can be professional but also be relaxed enough that people can come to me.”
“Don’t worry Miss Kagari, I can you see you didn’t mean to be inappropriate. And there’s no need to be nervous you’re doing just fine.” Diana tried to reassure her with a small smile and leaned back into her chair.
“I see you also had a similar job previously and worked there since you graduated from LNU. May I ask why you quit with your previous employer?”
“This is perhaps a bit too personal, but I am a single mother, and the hours coincide with my daughter’s school hours. With my daughter starting school, the hours at my old job clashed and there would be no one to look after her, that’s one of the main reasons why I quit.” Akko looked directly in Diana’s eyes and Diana couldn’t help but notice how they were a lovely shade of red. Akko stared at her with confidence and no shame and Diana couldn’t help but respect that.
“And the other reasons?”
Akko quietly sighed and looked away for a brief second and then looked back at Diana.
“The salary… wasn’t quite cutting it. Having a child is expensive and whilst it kept us afloat it was still hard.”
Diana couldn’t help but appreciating the honesty. Most candidates try to sway her with words and compliment her, but it never looked or sounded sincere. She never took it personally; she understands that people did what they thought they had to do to get the job. But she has never met someone so open like Miss Kagari before.
“If you don’t mind me asking…” Red eyes looked at her in curiosity, her brunette bangs slightly swaying to the right as she slightly tilted her head. “How old is your daughter?”
The way her smiled brighten when she was prompted with a question about her daughter was blinding. “She’s four years old and her name is Yumi!” Diana could clearly see how much the lady cared for her daughter.
Diana smiled looked at her CV once more and then stood up. “Thank you for telling me all this Miss Kagari, it was refreshing to have an honest conversation with a candidate.”
The candidate took this as her cue that the interview was over.
“The company will contact you will the decision regarding the job. It should be within the next few days. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
Diana stuck out her hand for her to shake hands with her and she took it gently, she had such nice hands, although they were slightly rough, like they knew hard work.
“It was nice meeting you as well Miss Cavendish.”
She left swiftly after that.
Diana sat down once again and looked over her qualifications and how she felt about Miss Kagari’s personality. She seemed like a good fit for the job. She thought about her hands that seemed like they knew hard work, how she rambled and seemed earnest and the honesty she displayed.
A few minutes passed before another static call buzzed through the phone.
“Miss Cavendish, the next interviewee is here.”
Diana sighed; it was going to be a long day.
“Send them through.”
At the end of the day, Diana phoned up Hannah and said “Atsuko Kagari, I want her to take the position, can you send an email saying she got the job please.”
“Will do Diana.”
“Thanks.”
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When Diana woke up to a mess of her blonde curls in her face and her alarm blaring, she knew that luck was not on her side this morning.
She overslept (waking up at 6:45am as opposed to 6:30 wasn’t that big of a deal to anyone except to Diana (especially when she gave herself this self-imposed time of having to be in the office at 8am)), which is out of ordinary, but this means that Diana had to rush getting ready with her shower and trying to tame her loose curls, so she looks presentable at the board meeting later on in the morning. This all meant that Diana did not have any time to make herself some breakfast.
She quickly walked (a lady never runs is what Anna always told her) over to her sleek black car and drove as fast as she could without breaking the speed limit.
When Diana got into the office at 8:15am, she wasn’t expecting to see Atsuko Kagari waiting her by her office door.
It has been a week since she hired her and whilst she has asked Hannah, her secretary and close friend, to keep an eye on her and to report to her if there were any mishaps. Luckily, it seemed that Akko had slipped into the role easily and took on her duties and any mistakes were minor and didn’t need her attention.
She was wearing the same attire she had during her interview (why she remembers what she wore Diana would never know (she definitely knows why (it’s because she is a raging lesbian))) and she knew was pretty, but having not seen her in a while, it was like a reminder how stunning she was. That the image she had of her in her head could not compare to her in the flesh.
“Miss Kagari, may I help you?”
“You can call me Akko, no need to call me by my last name!”
“If you so wish Miss Kagari, now to what do I owe this pleasure?”
Akko pouted at the lack of use of her nickname but ignored it. “Ah, I just wanted to thank you for giving me this opportunity and also I’m here early so I can be even more familiar with the office.”
Diana nodded and said “You’re welcome but no need to thank me, I hope you enjoy your time here at Cavendish Pharmaceuticals. Let me know if you need anything.”
Diana headed into her office but just before she stepped in, she heard a “oh, I almost forgot, here’s a coffee and some pastries. I wasn’t sure how you liked your coffee so I just got it black, but I got some creamer and sugar in case you wanted to add anything. Wait you might not even like coffee, um just throw it in the bin if you don’t like coffee.” Akko nervously handed over the items and scratched the back of her head, looking bashful. Was that a slight blush on her cheeks?
Diana was stunned, no one gave her such a thoughtful gesture, especially from a person that was practically a stranger. She couldn’t help but be moved by this gesture.
“I appreciate the gesture and I do like my coffee black with a tiny bit of sugar, don’t worry.” Akko looked visibly relieved at this information.
“Ah okay, I’ll leave you to your work now Miss Cavendish, perhaps I’ll see you around.” Akko flashed a bright smile before walking away with her heels clacking against the tiled floor.
“Oh, one more thing” Diana said before Akko was completely out of earshot. Akko had turned around, her long hair flipped and her small ponytail bouncing as if she was in a shampoo advert, face slightly curious as to what Diana had to say.
How did she do that and looked so good what
“I prefer tea but thank you regardless Akko.”
Diana didn’t wait to see how Akko reacted to using her nickname and quickly went into her office, back against the door, embarrassed and couldn’t help but think.
Why did I do that?
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When Hannah called Diana on her personal phone during the workday, she knew immediately something was up.
Hannah never called her on her personal phone. She would text her or she would call her through the landline connected to their desks.
Immediately Diana picked up.
“Hannah? Are you okay? Why did you call me?”
“Diana, I’m alright thank you, but you remember that new girl you told me to keep an eye? The one from HR?
“Atsuko Kagari? What happened? Is she okay?”
Diana’s mind raced with a thousand types of scenarios; did she get hurt? Did something happen to her daughter?
“She’s currently in an argument with someone and it has escalated an-“
Diana interrupted and blurted out “Where is she?”
“She’s on the 8th floor.”
She quickly hung up and sped walked to the lifts. She pressed the button once and she had half a mind to click clicking it until it arrived, but she knew logically it wasn’t going to make the lift come any sooner.
So, she patiently waited whilst the life came to her floor. She couldn’t help but wonder why Akko got into a fight with someone at work. She doesn’t seem like the type to cause trouble on purpose, more like trouble tries to find her.
The long-awaited lift finally arrived, and Diana quickly got in and jabbed the 8th floor button with her thumb. She watched the numbers go down until the doors finally slid open.
It didn’t take long to figure out where Akko was, there was a crowd toward the right of the corridor and she could hear the yelling, but it sounded like a deep voice rather than Akko’s higher pitched one.
Diana couldn’t make out the words from where she was but the closer, she got the more she could hear clearly.
“-nd I don’t know why you were hired instead of me, you look like you don’t even know how to use a photo copy machine and you’re here telling me what to do? I don’t know how you got this job but you’re a woman and you should know your plac-“
“Excuse me, can someone tell me what is going on?” Diana asked with a menacing tone, barely able to contain the anger she has, directing the question to the man that was yelling.
“Ah Miss Cavendish, you can help us resolve this, this woman is-“
“Her name is Miss Kagari, she is your boss, show her some respect and address her properly.”
The man was so flustered, he turned red, his mouth gaping like a fish.
The man closed his mouth and looked around the room for support, but everyone was avoiding his eye contact.
“Miss Kagari here is new and was being disrespectful by saying the work I have been doing was shoddy and half done, when I have been working here for a few years, compared to her measly one week.”
Diana turned to Akko to hear what she had to say.
“Is this correct Miss Kagari?” Diana kept her tone even and saw Akko had nodded her head.
“May I see the work you have been turning in? I want to see why Miss Kagari thought it was not done to standards we have here at Cavendish Pharmaceuticals.”
The man started sweating and looking nervous and stuttering out excuses.
“Miss Ca-cavendish I don’t t-think this is necessary. She is only a mere worker and that has been here for one week, I have been here for years. Surely you can’t take her word over mine.”
Diana narrowed her eyes at him, “I’m not taking anyone’s word. I am simply looking at your work and see if I agree with her conclusion. Surely, if you have been doing the work well then there would be no issues, would there?”
The man shifted his feet and looked down and weakly said, “I suppose…”
Diana took the pieces of paper that Akko had in her hand and saw they were in fact shoddy. Shoddy was a generous word to give. All the paperwork was out of order and barely any of it was filled in, the bits that were actually filled out were all incorrect. He didn’t even write on the lines, and it was barely legible, chicken scratch was more readable that whatever this man wrote.
Furrowed eyebrows and a deathly cold glare was sent towards the man. He visibly tensed up and looked like he was on the verge of spewing out excuses.
Everyone held their breath as they heard Diana’s heels click against the marbled floor. Each click and clack sounding like the end of the man’s career.
Diana thrusted her arm out the papers in her hands. The man gingerly took the papers, scared that he was going to be eaten alive.
Diana never raised her voice, she calmly spoke, “If you were someone’s manager, that you had to ensure their work was up to scratch and they turned that in. What would you do?”
Head down, his eyes staring holes into his shoes and all he did was mumble, even as close as Diana was, she couldn’t even hear him. Eyes sharp she just said, “Can you please repeat that, I was not able to hear you.”
He lifted his head in shame and anger at being humiliated. Diana just stared back in a calm manner; arms folded.
He turned red, ears burning and avoiding looking at Diana’s piercing gaze and sheepishly said “I would tell them to do better.”
Diana let out a small smile and then raised an eyebrow at him, “So pray tell, why did you yell at Miss Kagari for simply doing her job and not only that making a demeaning comment about her gender and causing a fuss when this could have been resolved like adults.”
He was too ashamed to say anything.
“Do you perhaps not respect me then? Since I am also a woman, even though I am the CEO of this company?”
“Miss Cavendish I did not mean to offend you,” he points to Akko, “it was her, she was the one acting superior and-“
“Mr. Smith not only are you in a terrible situation, you still look to shift the blame onto an innocent person doing their work and not only that but trying to bully her to overlook your incompetence because you have been at the company longer. I advise you choose your words carefully.”
“I-“ Smith tried to argue once more but Diana cut him off.
“Mr. Smith please gather your things and have your office empty by the end of the day, you are to be fired from this company.”
Diana could nearly see the steam blowing out his ears as he walked back towards his desk.
Diana looked around the room and spoke in a commanding voice, “if anyone acts like that towards you, please contact Miss Kagari or myself for this, we don’t tolerate bullying or any kind of that behaviour here.” She looked around and softened her tone, “we want you to feel safe here, please don’t hesitate.”
There were nods and murmurs of agreement, once satisfied Diana then gestured for everyone to go back to their work as normal.
Diana turned around to Akko and saw her staring at her, there was something in her eyes that she couldn’t quite decipher, but it was gone before Diana could figure it out.
“Thank you, Miss Cavendish, for that.”
“No need to thank me, let’s talk in your office for a brief second.”
Akko led the way, and they were soon alone. Once Akko sat down at her desk, Diana could see tension on her shoulders slowly leave her body.
“I apologise for what happened today, I didn’t think he would act out like that.” Akko slumped in her chair for a few seconds before sitting up straight. “I didn’t want to cause you any problems and yet this happens on my first week.” Akko blew air up into the bangs to move them out the way.
Diana found the action oddly cute.
Woah woah woah dangerous territory there Cavendish.
“Don’t apologise Akko, you were simply just doing your job, it’s not your fault that man was acting like a child.”
Akko let out a short laugh, “Ha, even my 4-year-old acts better than him, even on her bad days.”
Diana let out a soft giggle.
“So, what did you want to talk about privately in my office?”
“Ah I just wanted to make sure you were okay after that, without all the prying eyes and ears in the office.”
“I really appreciate that Miss Cavendish” Akko gave her really soft smile that showed her appreciation and wow she really is so pretty.
Maybe that’s why she didn’t think twice when she said
“Diana.”
“Huh?” Akko did a slight head tilt again, looking like an adorable puppy with her big doe eyes and her small ponytail dropping down too.
“You can call me Diana. Its, uh, only fair since I call you Akko.”
“Really?!”
“Um, just between us two, since it’ll seem weird for you to call me by my first name in front of the other employees but yes.”
“Yeah, that sounds good, I just want to say thank you again for standing up for me, no one’s ever really done that for me.” Akko looked slightly down and it broke Diana’s heart.
“I’m always in your corner Akko, I hope you remember that.”
Akko looked at her with such a soft look, and just when Diana thought she was about to cry she gave her a bright smile and said, “Thank you!”
“Well, as long as you’re okay I’ll get back to my office and do some work. I’ll see you later Akko”
“Bye Diana!”
Once Diana was finally in the sanctuary of her office, she just put her head in her hands and thought to herself.
What the fuck.
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After that incident, the next couple of months went relatively smoothly.
Diana kept checking up on her and Akko kept Diana up to date to what was going on and how she solved the minor issues they had and just running by things to make she was doing it to up company standards.
At least, that’s what Diana kept telling herself.
She knew deep down she was just using that as an excuse to talk to Akko every day. And if she so happened to notice Akko staring at her lips now and then she would just pretend it didn’t happen.
(Diana also pretends that she wasn’t staring at Akko’s lips either)
However, when Diana went by the 8th floor to see Akko in her office someone bump into her legs.
“Oof”
A child or a really small midget just ran into her long legs without looking. The child looked up at her from the floor she softly landed on.
Diana just blinked. This child looked like a mini-Akko. Long brunette hair and pretty red eyes, although her eyes weren’t the shape big doe shape as Akko’s and her nose wasn’t like Akko’s button nose but other than that she looked like a clone of Akko.
Diana mentally shook herself and bent down to her knees and offered a hand to what she assumed was Yumi.
“Hi there” Diana said softly, so she didn’t alarm the kid, “I’m sorry for bumping into you, I didn’t see you.”
Yumi cautiously took her hand and stood up. She flashed a bright smile once she realised that Diana didn’t mean any harm.
“That’s okay! Sorry for not looking.”
Diana’s heart melted, she wasn’t particularly kid crazy but now she can understand the appeal, this child was so adorable with her chubby cheeks and honest smile.
“Where is your Mum? I’ll help take you to her.”
The kid looked at Diana really hard as if she was trying to size her up and if she could take her down in a fight if she needed to.
The thought made Diana laugh in her head.
“Mama always said to be careful of strangers, so I don’t know.”
“I think I know your Mama. Is your name Yumi? And is your Mama’s name Atsuko?”
“My name is Yumi!” Yumi looked at her in amazement at knowing her name, “But Mama’s name is mama?” Yumi looked confused, as if she couldn’t fathom that her mum had an actual name besides mama.
This kid was truly adorable.
“Ah of course, my mistake. But can you take me to your Mama at least?”
Yumi nodded and pointed towards Akko’s office.
“This way! Follow me!”
Her short stubby legs carried her, and Diana had to walk incredibly slow so she would stay behind her. It should be impossible to be this cute but somehow Yumi keeps surprising her.
Once they finally reached the door, Yumi pushed the door with all her might and exclaimed, “Mama, this pretty lady wants to meet you!”
Diana wasn’t sure if she was flattered or extremely embarrassed at being called pretty so blatantly but Yumi was so adorable she didn’t say anything.
Akko looked even more embarrassed at her daughter calling her pretty so unapologetically. Akko then turned to Yumi and said, “Yumi! I told you not to go far.”
Akko’s stern voice and unhappy face made Yumi look so sad Diana couldn’t help but want to step in.
“Sorry Mama”
“It’s alright I just don’t want you to get hurt okay baby?”
Yumi nodded understandingly, “Can I go play?”
“Yes, but don’t go too far please.”
Yumi walked off around the corner where Akko could see her.
Akko turned to Diana, “I’m so sorry if she caused any trouble or mess.”
“No, no she was a sweetheart, and she was only down the corridor she wasn’t far away, and she was wary of strangers, she’s really smart.”
“Ah that’s good to hear, that she isn’t just going off willy nilly. She told me she was going to the toilet”
“She’s honestly adorable and she looks exactly like you.”
Akko’s eyes lit up, “she really is adorable, she’s so smart and sweet, she’s nothing like how I was when I was a child. “Akko giggled, “I was unruly child, always pretending to be a witch because of a childhood show. I even used to climb trees with a broom so I could “fly”, I gave my mum so many scratches to treat over the years.” Her eyes glazed over as she thought about her childhood.
Diana just laughed along, “I can imagine that”
Akko just pouted in response, “hey! What’s that meant to mean!”
Diana couldn’t help but be amused, “nothing, nothing bad, I swear, I just meant you seemed energetic as a child is all. I also used to love witches when I was child.”
They shared a smile and Diana couldn’t help but ask, “So how come Yumi is with you today? This is the first time I have seen her at the office.”
Akko rubbed the back of her neck and seemed a bit sheepish, “ah so there was no school today and I couldn’t find anyone last minute to take care of her, so I brought her in. I didn’t think she would cause trouble, once she has her toys she’s honestly set, she’s very well behaved I promise. And I didn’t think it would be an issue and I swear it was a one-time thing, this never usually happens. I apology- “
Diana cut her, “Akko, take a deep breath, don’t worry I understand. It’s not an issue that she’s here I’m just worried that something happened. There’s no policy against bringing kids to work, I understand that some people just can’t help it.”
Diana couldn’t help but think back on her own Mother taking her in at the hospital when Anna wasn’t around. Oh, how she enjoyed those times.
She looked instantly relieved at the confirmation that bringing her child to work was okay.
“Ok thank you, I was worried you would be mad or something.”
Diana looked directly into Akko’s eyes, “like I said before, I’m always here to support you.”
What the fuck. How much of a disaster gay are you, Diana?
Diana decided that maybe it was time for her to leave before she spews out more gay words that just shows how badly she’s got it for Akko.
“I, um, have work to do, so I’ll leave you to it Akko.”
She swiftly exited before she left, she waved to Yumi goodbye.
“BYE PRETTY LADY!”
Diana had never walked so fast in her life before, lest anyone sees her burning face.
Do all Kagaris have the ability to make me look like a tomato?
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The next time that Diana saw Yumi was not how she expected it.
For once, Akko met Diana at her office, rather than the other way around, with Yumi towing behind her holding her hand, walking so fast that she was on the verge of running. She had a panicked look on her face and seemed really stressed.
“Akko? What’s wrong?”
Akko was panting and tried to catch her breath before saying, “sorry I really don’t have time to explain but can you please look after Yumi? There’s no one else I can trust, and she really likes you from that last time you met.”
Even if Diana didn’t want, (she didn’t) she couldn’t refuse with the look of desperation on her Akko’s face. Her eyes seemed so sad and tired she couldn’t help but agreed on the spot.
“Yes of course, you can leave her with me. Is there anything I need to know about her before you go?”
“No, she should be alright, here’s a bag full of everything you need. She can go to the bathroom on her own and she can eat most solid foods, just needs to be cut up small. She can usually do it herself, but she may need help.”
Diana nodded, “just call me if you need anything else.”
Akko looked so grateful and before Diana knew it, she was right up next to her. She whispered thank you in her ear so softly it gave her shivers down her spine. Then held her cheek in her hand and she kissed her right next to her lips and left in a rush.
It took Diana a good five minutes to snap out it once she realised, she was looking after a child, and she was the only adult present in the room.
And if anyone asks, no she did not spend the five minutes thinking how soft Akko’s lips were or how nice her voice was in her eye or how desperately wished Akko just moved a few millimetres to the right.
(She totally did)
Diana looked in the bag and saw that there were a few spare changes of clothes, some books and mostly toys. She emptied all the toys out and put it on the coffee desk with a sofa so she can have room to play and not disturb Diana’s work.
“Where’s Mama?” Yumi asked, curiously. She didn’t seem upset luckily.
“She’s gone to go do something, so she let you play here with me.”
“I can play with you?!” the child looked way to excited at the prospect of playing with Diana when she was as stiff as a board when it came to children really and truly.
“Um, yeah you can.”
“YAAAAY”
Turns out that Yumi was easily to follow along, she wasn’t hard to please either. She asked her to roleplay with some dinosaurs and have a tea party and honestly? It felt fun to let loose and no worry about an ulterior motive behind someone’s actions or worry about the next contract.
“Would you like a cup of tea, Miss Diana?”
“I would love some Miss Yumi”
Yumi poured some imaginary tea into their plastic teacups and Diana couldn’t help but say,
“That was very nice tea Miss Yumi thank you very much.”
“Let’s play cops and robber Diana!!”
She just let out a gentle smile and agreed, anything to keep her happy.
“I’ll be the cop and you’ll be the robber; I have to catch you and you have to escape, okay?”
“Okay.”
Diana jogged lightly around the room, not too far that Yumi would give up but not too close that she’ll be caught straight away. All you could hear outside the room was laughter and giggles.
“I got you!!!”
“Ohhh nooooo what will I do now, please let me out of prison”
Once Yumi finally “caught” Diana, Akko entered the room.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”
“MAMA!!”
“Were you good for Diana?”
“She was excellent, she was no hassle at all and was very fun.” Diana chipped in. She truly meant it and she can understand what Barbara meant by liking playing with kids. She never really got it until now. Or maybe Yumi is just different.
“Thank you so much for looking after her on short notice and taking away you away from your work. There was a family emergency, and it took longer than expected.”
“Akko it’s fine I had a lot of fun with her she was easy to look after. I hope you and your family are alright though.” Diana furrowed her eyebrows in concern, she hoped it wasn’t anything too serious.
“Luckily it was all able to be sorted but thank you for your concern.” Akko turned to Yumi and said, “Clean up your toys please so we can go home.”
Whilst Yumi was cleaning up Akko turned to her again looked shy and was she perhaps blushing? She was wringing her hands and shifting her feet like she didn’t know what do with them.
“That kiss you gave,” Akko was shocked that Diana brought it up first, hell, even Diana was shocked she mentioned it first, “it was nice, but you seemed to have missed the mark.” And then she pointed to her lips.
Where the fuck did, I get this confidence from
Akko looked up at her with such big eyes and looked at her as if she was in a dream.
“I’m not hallucinating, am I?”
Diana couldn’t help but laugh at that, “No you’re not I promise.”
Before Akko could respond properly there were interrupted by Yumi saying she was finished. The mood and moment were ruined, and Akko gave her an apologetic smile and said they were going now.
Yumi left first and Akko closed the door behind her. Just before she left the room with the door covering half of her, she turned around and said in a determined voice.
“I won’t miss next time”
She promptly left after that, the door making a soft thud.
She’s going to be the death of me.
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Before Diana knew it, it was nearing the Christmas period and almost everyone was ready for the Christmas break.
Diana usually spent Christmas alone, she usually would spend the first couple of days leading up the Christmas period with Hannah and Barbara, but they had their own families to spend Christmas with. It’s fine, Diana was used to be alone ever since her mother died.
With the last few days coming up Diana was ready to indulge herself in a glass of wine. As a treat.
What she wasn’t expecting was towards the end of the workday was Akko waiting outside the office, looking like she had something important to say.
“Akko?”
“Hey, I just wanted to ask, if you wanted to join us for Christmas?”
Diana was so shocked she didn’t say anything at first. Which Akko took as a sign of rejection, and she quickly tried to backpedal.
“Sorry, you probably have family you want to spend with, but whilst we were getting to know each other I know that you’re not on great terms with your aunt and cousins and I didn’t want you to be alone, but now that I’m thinking about it maybe you would prefer being alone. Oh, and by us I just meant me and Yumi, so I thought it would be fun if both of us could spend Christmas… together.”
Akko just ended her sentence weakly as if she was intruding.
“I’ll just, um, leave now, how have a good Christmas Diana.”
Something about Akko walking away made her act and she quickly stepped forward to grab her wrist from me.
“No wait, don’t go, sorry I was just shocked, but I would love to join you and Yumi from Christmas. It’ll be nice to spend it with someone this year.” She gave her a soft smile.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“You’re not just saying that because you feel pity for me?”
“Akko,” Diana stepped so close to her Akko ended up holding her breath, “I love spending time with you and Yumi, it would be my honour.”
She stepped back and Akko looked at her hard for one long second and looked happy.
“That’s great, I’ll text you my address. We can sort out the details later.”
Diana nodded her head. “Sounds good, goodnight, Akko.”
Whilst Akko was walking away Diana couldn’t help but think
Holy shit.
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Diana: Is there anything Yumi would like for Christmas?
Akko: oh you dont need to get her anything
Diana: It’s no hassle, I’ve become quite fond of her. I would love to get her a present.
Akko: if ur sure, she’s been into planes recently if that helps
Diana: Thanks.
In hindsight, Diana probably should have realised Akko meant a toy plane.
But how was she meant to know that? She really should has specified and honestly, what kid doesn’t want their own private plane? And in her defence, she hasn’t been around kids since she was one herself and grew up with her cousins and they weren’t exactly the friendliest…
And okay, sue her, she wanted to spoil Yumi. Yumi is such precious child that deserve the world. She’s so smart and adorable and cute that Diana just wants to spoil her rotten. She’s just stolen her heart with her tiny, chubby hands.
(Like mother like daughter)
So, when Diana showed up with a toy plane (because she can’t obviously wrap a private plane in a box) to showcase what she was going to get, imagine her surprise when Yumi seemed perfectly happy with the miniature version.
When she tried to explain this to Akko, she looked both confused, amused and shocked.
“Diana no kid on this planet is going to want a million-tonne plane.”
Diana’s face never felt so hot before in her life.
“But” Akko walked over to her, her hands landing on her chest, looking up at her through her long eyelashes, “I really appreciate the gesture and Yumi loves her the present you bought her, so thank you. Look.”
Diana turned around to see Yumi having the time of life with the plane, making plane noises and moving the plane around and skidding it along the edge of the plush sofa.
“That’s all that matters to me, as long as she’s happy.”
Akko gave her a peck on the cheek and before Diana could say anything she called Yumi up to have dinner.
Both of them seated, Akko just looked at Diana cheekily saying, “the food is getting cold, what you waiting for? A plane to come and take you to your seat?”
She could only laugh at that. She’s so down bad for her.
The food was delicious and actually had seasoning, a foreign concept to Diana’s white ass. Yumi was tired from playing with Diana and all the excitement that comes with Christmas day for a child.
Whilst Akko was putting Yumi to bed, Diana was looking around at the house and stopped by one of the walls in the corridor. There were a few pictures of Akko and her family. A baby that looked like Yumi, what Diana assumed to be Akko’s parents and a few other people that Diana didn’t know.
“Hey what are you looking at?”
“Oh nothing, just looking at these pictures.”
Akko came to join her and looked wistfully at the pictures, “my parents couldn’t make it this year since my dad isn’t feeling too well. So, they stayed home this year.” Akko looked at the pictures again and looked a bit upset.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Diana wasn’t the best at comforting so she just held her shoulder.
“It’s alright, they can always come later, or I could always visit them. Plus, it was nice having you around this year.”
“Thank you for inviting me, it was truly wonderful. I haven’t enjoyed Christmas this much in a long time. I also haven’t forgotten your present.”
Diana walked over to the coat she left on the sofa and put her hand inside the inside pocket of the coat. She took out a small velvety box and walked over to Akko waiting under the door frame.
“You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to. Here, open it up.”
Akko open the soft box to see a pendent with a sparkling red gem in the middle. It was simple and elegant and would look nice against Akko’s neck.
“It’s lovely thank you. Can you put it on for me?”
She just nodded and Akko turned around, Diana gently moved the necklace to her front and then pulled the clasp towards the back of her neck. She softly moved Akko’s hair out the way and clipped it on.
Akko turned around and could help but ask, “well, how does it look on me?”
Diana honestly had no words to describe how pretty Akko was in that moment, the way the gemstone matched her red eyes, her soft smile, all Diana could mutter was,
“Beautiful.”
Diana’s eyes left Akko’s and trailed down to her lips, she looked back up and saw Akko was staring intensely at her.
She’s not sure who kissed who first, but she knew was that one of her hands found their way around Akko’s waist as if they were meant to be there. The other one cupping her cheek to bring them closer. Akko’s hands were tangled in Diana’s hair, making a mess but it felt oh so good.
They broke apart after who knows how long, breathing slightly heavily.
“Mistletoe” Akko pointed up and that was all that Akko said to offer an explanation.
Then Akko kissed her again, square on the lips. It was chaste; her hands were still on Diana’s neck.
“I didn’t miss this time.”