Chapter Text
Why is she looking at me?
Nakamura had noticed her coworker exhibiting some strange behavior around her. While Izumi Sakurai was generally a fairly kind woman, despite her timid nature, Nakamura believed that she may very well be plotting her downfall. What else could those glances she gave her signify? It was early afternoon in the teacher’s lounge and Nakamura was keeping an eye on Sakurai as they ate their lunches on different sides of the room.
Perhaps she noticed my failed attempts at observation of the Shinonome girl and plans to report me. Or worse, she’s after Sideburns. That’s it! She wants him all to herself, doesn’t she! Conniving bitch. I’ll talk to her. All friendly. She won’t know what hit her.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Sakurai”, Nakamura said, approaching Ms. Sakurai’s desk. Izumi nervously jolted to attention.
“Oh, hello there, Ms. Nakamura! How are you?”, Sakurai said with a lopsided smile.
“Peachy. I noticed you looking at me. What exactly are your intentions?” Nakamura said sternly.
Perfect. I’ve cornered her through the sheer power of my social communication! Now she’ll be forced to admit to her scheme! The jig is up, Sakurai!
Izumi blushed.
“Oh, you noticed. I just- did you get a haircut, Ms. Nakamura?” Sakurai asked, sweating with anxiety at being interrogated. Nakamura’s intense glare softened a bit.
She noticed my hair. Hm. Perhaps I judged you too harshly, Sakurai.
“Well, yes. Yes, I did. I like it this way. It doesn’t get in my eyes while I work. It’s practical” Nakamura said, running a hand through her short hair.
“Well, it’s very cute on you. That was- what I was thinking.” Izumi said, flashing the same wobbly smile. Nakamura blushed.
Oh Darwin, she’s exploiting my weakness. Must. Stay. Strong.
“Thank you, Ms. Sakurai. You’re very cute as well.” Nakamura said thoughtlessly. This time Sakurai was the one turning beet red.
Why is she- oh. I called her cute. Why did I say that? WHY DID I SAY THAT? HELLO? WHY THE HELL DID I JUST CALL MY FEMALE COWORKER CUTE??
“Um... Uh- thank you.” Sakurai said, bowing her head. She was shaking a bit.
“Uhhyuup anyyyytime I gotta go do something science-related. Goodbye” Nakamura said, before dashing out of the teacher’s lounge and into the hallway.
Sakurai just stood in place, her head bowed and her face red.
Nakamura hid behind a corner, panting.
This is not how this was meant to go at all. I’ve squandered my chances at learning the truth about Izumi Sakurai. Damn that woman and her charms! I’m just a pawn in her game. But not for long. I’ve got an ace up my sleeve.
Nakamura stepped out from behind her corner and bumped head on into Sakurai.
“Shit!” Nakamura shouted, perhaps a bit too loud for a highschool hallway. The two women both tottered back, holding their noses.
“Ohmygosh I’m so so sorry I wasn’t looking where I was going!” Izumi said through her pinched nose.
“It’s fine. I’m fine. Would you like to get a drink with me? Tonight?” Nakamura asked. Sakurai looked like a tomato.
“Wow. Y-yes! I would! But, it’s so sudden… I didn’t know you drank…”.
“Well there are many things you don’t know about me, Ms. Sakurai. And- I thought, since we work together, it might be nice- if we became friends. People do that” Nakamura said, fighting for her life. Sakurai calmed down a little.
Nakamura didn’t normally drink. She saw no point in it, and with pointless socialization. Weak-minded activity for weak-minded people. But if she was to learn all about Izumi Sakurai and her secret vendetta against her, a casual night of drinking would be a great way to loosen her up.
“Well- that sounds great. Sorry for… running into you like this”. Sakurai giggled. Nakamura’s heart felt abnormally light. She’d do a blood test when she got back to her lab. The collision may have concussed her.
“No problem,” Nakamura said with feigned confidence. Sakurai giggled again.
Why is she laughing? I haven’t said anything funny.
“I’ll see you,” Sakurai said, smiling. They waved goodbye to each other.
Perfect , Nakamura thought to herself. This is all going according to plan.