Chapter Text
Hate. It’s a tangled web of emotions—like when someone inflicts a deep wound upon you, but as time drifts on, you find a way to forgive them. Or maybe it’s the shift in perspective that reveals just something about them that makes you understand why they are the way they are. Sometimes, you realize that perhaps they don’t deserve all that hate after all.
But not with him.
Not with a self-absorbed jerk like him who appears to revel in being terrible and rude for no apparent reason. It’s confusing how people can be born with beautiful features, yet their true ugliness often lies in the horrible attitudes they project all the god damn time.
Recently, you found yourself being transferred to a new law firm, after dedicating a decade of your life to being a secretary you decided that maybe a different firm needs your presence. At first glance, this new firm seemed like a beacon of hope, one of the most popular powerhouses in the country.
And then there was Enji Todoroki, the illustrious figure at the top of it all. Known for his exceptional prowess in the courtroom, he wins more than half of the cases he takes on, a shining gem in the legal community.
On your first day, the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. Every employee you encountered was extraordinarily kind, eager to lend a hand, and quick to answer your numerous questions with unfaltering patience.
But not him.
He stood out like a glaring stain against a pristine backdrop—the boy with golden hair that gleamed under the office lights, and eyes that sparkled almost mischievously. You heard from a co-worker he would apply his eyeliner every day, creating sharp lines that accentuated his features to a fault.
When you sought his help on simple matters, he treated you as if you were an idiot, as if it were unfathomable that you didn’t already know the ins and outs of the office—the locations of the restrooms or the proper place to hang Enji’s exquisite leather coat each day.
The first incident with him was with Enjis's coat.
You Gathered your courage, and you approached him, clutching the coat in your hands and adopting the sweetest tone you could muster. “Excuse me, where do I put this?” But the response you received was a vacant stare, devoid of any joy.
With a disdainful huff, he replied, “Shouldn’t you have been told this on your first day?” His tone, while soft, dripped with a palpable annoyance that made your heart race with embarrassment.
You shook your head, feeling the heat rise in your cheeks. Were you already supposed to know this? No, he was simply being an insufferable asshole.
With an exasperated sigh, he turned and began to walk away, leaving you momentarily stranded. You hesitated, unsure if you were meant to follow him.
But then he paused, glancing back over his shoulder. “Well? Are you coming or are you just going to stand there?” His impatience made you go into action, your feet scrambling to keep up as he marched swiftly through the office, making so many abrupt turns that you began to lose track of him.
At last, he led you to a room, one that struck you as genuinely bizarre, filled to the brim with leather coats. What kind of person has a room dedicated solely to fucking jackets? He gestured towards the coat rack, and you quickly hung up Enji's jacket, feeling a sense of relief wash over you.
It was kind of him to help, even though he was a little harsh towards you.
Yet, as swiftly as he had come, he left before you had a chance to thank him.
A surge of gratitude flickered within you, especially since he had indirectly assisted you. But that relief faded when Enji returned, demanding to know the whereabouts of his jacket. In that instant, it dawned on you that the boy had played a trick on you.
The little brat had led you into a room that was actually a storage space for Enji’s clothing brand—a detail you had completely overlooked in your eagerness to get the coat hung up.
Enji then forced you to search through each rack for the jacket, and to your dismay, you couldn’t even remember which one you had placed it in.
After what felt like an eternity, you emerged from the maze of coats, finally clutching Enji’s jacket triumphantly. As you stepped out, you were met with the most smug expression on the boy's face—a triumphant smirk that made your blood boil.
Thankfully, your boss displayed some a sense of understanding and chose not to cut your lunch break, despite the chaos that had just unfolded.
At said lunch, you had complained to your fellow co-workers about what the stupid kid had done to you.
“Oh, Takami? He’s just playing around with you sweetie.” Her voice was kind, seemed like she was the type to try and understand the other perspective.
Another girl's voice made it into the conversation, “That means he likes you, Takami loves to play random pranks!”
You suppose that's why Enji decided to overlook it, the little shit does things like this all of the time.
Well unlucky for him, he had just made it on your shit list.