Work Text:
I am Kuroha, a 30-year old employee at Mona Corporation.
"Thanks, Kuroha." Akane hugged me. "Thanks to your help, I nailed that meeting with our client!"
I smiled bright. "It was no problem. What's good for you is good for everyone at this company!" I smirked. "It's a good thing I don't have a husband, he'd get jealous."
Akane let go and blushed. "Oops, sorry. I guess I get a little carried away sometimes." Akane was one of my juniors at work, a real go-getter with a bright and cheerful attitude. She had some trouble getting things done at times, and she could be a bit flirty, but she worked hard and really brought up the mood in the office.
"Thank you, Kuroha." Tsutsuji bowed to me, didn't even notice her at first! "I really appreciate you going over the report. You're a lifesaver!"
I smiled. "It was no problem, I was glad to help!"
Tsutsuji's eyes were wide. "I was surprised you even noticed I was having trouble."
I continued smiling bright. "Of course I'd notice that my co-worker was struggling. I want to help out where I can!" That was Tsutsuji, another of my juniors. She was good at a lot, but had trouble asking for help. I've always encouraged her to ask others, but she doesn't want to be a burden. And while I appreciate her concern, I really don't mind. I only accept the work I can handle, which is admittedly a lot. I like having things to do, though!
"GIEPI!" Sora had just tripped while carrying a lot of forms.
I got down to help pick them back up. "Are you all right, Sora? Are you hurt?"
"I'm OK. More embarrassing than anything else, but thank you!"
I helped Sora back up and smiled, dusting her off a bit and handing the forms to her. "As long as you're OK, I'm relieved."
"Thank you so much, Kuroha!" And that was Sora. She's another hard worker, but she seems to have terrible luck at times. Still, she's a valuable asset to our team, and I'm grateful she's with us!
"Ah, Kuroha!" That was our manager, Suzuran, who'd just stepped out of her office. She was in her 50s, but still looked good for her age. "I was hoping you could do something." I wasn't sure what she wanted, but Suzuran was a great boss, so I know it wasn't anything bad. I stepped into the office and had a seat after Suzuran. "So, I'm sure you've noticed that we have been working overtime a lot to make deadlines."
I nodded. "I have."
Suzuran smirked. "You are all too good at your job. It's helping the company, but I feel bad about all the extra work, so I wanted to hire more workers to make things easier for everyone."
I nodded again. "I don't mind helping out--"
Suzuran put her hand to her mouth. "Are you kidding, you do way too much as it is! You're going to collapse if we don't lighten your workload! I appreciate all you do for the company, but I want you to stay healthy, too, dear. You have cute daughter, after all!" That's right, I did have someone important in my life who I loved very much. I did need to stay healthy for her!
I smiled softly. "You're right. This probably would be good for me and everyone else. Thank you."
Suzuran put her hand to her mouth again. "Oh-ho-ho-ho, of course I'm right! Anyway, I was hoping you could do the interviews with me. I truly value your input with these decisions. We don't want someone like Akina again."
***
***
"Hey, Akina, do you have the report ready? It was due an hour ago."
"Sorry, I'm busy." Akina looked like she was just playing on her phone.
***
"Akina, my hands are full. Can you get the door for me?"
Akina didn't get up from her chair, but made a lazy effort to reach the door. "Sorry, can't reach it." Couldn't even roll her chair to the door.
***
"Akina, go get help! This MQN is attacking me!"
"MQN!" the MQN bellowed. I was standing on my desk, trying to swat at the MQN with some papers.
Akina glared at me. "Sorry, I'm in the middle of an important phone call." Akina went right back to her phone. "I'm sorry, Toji, but some people at work are just so RUDE!" I swear I would have lunged at her if I could get down from my desk.
"MQN!" Yes, we know you were why I was stuck up here, can we end the flashback, I don't enjoy these memories!
***
***
I shuddered just thinking back to those days. "You have a point, but is our situation that bad?"
Suzuran pointed to her door. "Why don't you see for yourself." I opened the door.
"I am Sora." Poor Sora sounded absolutely dead and lifeless, staring blankly at the computer screen. "I am Sora. I am Sora. Watashi wa Sora. Watashi wa Sora. 私はソラ。私は…モチ？」
Tsutsuji was in her chair, huddled with her knees to her chin, rocking back and forth. Unsettling.
"Whee!" Akane had her hands up in the air, and kept spinning around in her office chair. "You should try this Kuroha, it's fun!" Akane was laughing with a somewhat mad look on her face.
I stepped back into the office, and Suzuran had on a cat smile while resting her head in her hands.
"You're right, Suzuran. I think we can all benefit from getting some more help around here."
Suzuran's nose seemed to grow long. "Of course I'm right! But... um, should you be calling your boss by her first name?"
I frantically waved my hands in front of me. "I'm sorry, you're right! I'm... actually, what is your family name, anyway?"
Suzuran looked surprised by the question, and started tapping her desk. "You know, Suzuran is fine, dear."
***
"I'm home!"
"Mama, you're home wasa!" Wasabi just rushed over to glomp me. She was my 10-year old daughter and an absolute angel. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter! She was smart, energetic, adorable, and while she was bullied for it in the past, she honestly has the cutest little voice, like an angel!
"Would you like hamburger tonight?" As if I didn't already know the answer, Wasabi loves her hamburger!
"Yes, mama!" Wasabi hugged me again. "I want extra wasabi!" Oh, Wasabi and her... wasabi. I couldn't help but find it funny. I wasn't the best cook in the world, but Wasabi really enjoyed her mama's cooking, at least. We both enjoyed dinner, especially Wasabi. The rest of the night was pretty ordinary, really. I took a bath, played with Wasabi, cleaned a little, and then went to bed.
In the quiet of the night, I sometimes think about things. I try hard to be a good mom to Wasabi. I try hard to be someone others can depend on at work. I really have to prove myself, because I've done things I'm not proud of. Wasabi may learn about my past one day, and I hope I can be a good enough mother now that she'll still love me when that day comes.
And whether I was ready or not, I was about to have that past staring me right in the face.
***
"Hi, I'm Fuji."
"Hi, I'm Hisame."
"Greetings, I'm Yuzuriha."
The blood in my veins went cold. Ice. This... could be troublesome.
Yuzuriha was one of the interviewees. Yuzuriha, as in Hiiragi's ex-wife Yuzuriha. This was not good.
"Interviewee number one," Suzuran started, "if you were a flavor of ice cream, and I was the spoon, what flavor would you be?"
Fuji blinked. "What?"
"Oop, sorry about that, that was for the matchmaking party I attended recently, wrong set of questions." Suzuran smiled nervously as she took out another sheet of paper. "I apologize Fuji. What accomplishments have you... accomplished before coming here today?"
Fuji was answering like a pro. Very professional, if not a bit dry, but I suppose we had enough eccentric personalities in our office, most of all Suzuran herself. He seemed smart and trustworthy.
Suzuran looked down at her paper, then to Hisame, who looked a bit bored and inattentive. She didn't look too promising, really, probably another Akina situation there. "So Hisame, tell us about your previous work experience."
Suddenly Hisame perked up. "So I started at a ramen shop as a teenager, I needed money for my parents, while still attending school--no idea how I managed that but I did--and then..." Hisame was sharper than I'd expected her to be. She apparently had a hard upbringing, but made something of herself, and even found love at her last workplace. Honestly a sweet story, I was really rooting for her by the end.
And then Suzuran turned to Yuzuriha. "Yuzuriha, please tell us about any adversity you've faced, and how it made you who you are today."
And Yuzuriha had a huge smirk... I'm not sure Suzuran noticed. "I once had a loving husband, and an adorable child... until some wretch had an affair with MY HUSBAND and took him from me, leaving to raise our child on our own." Yuzuriha had a powerful venom to her voice. "I've had trouble finding a job that will let me take time off for my daughter when necessary, but my daughter and I have been scraping by. I want to be an inspiration for my daughter."
Suzuran wiped a tear from her eye. "I, too, had a husband who was taken from me. Someone I thought of as a friend, someone who taught me to laugh like a noblewoman." That was a thing you were actually taught? "I absolutely understand the pain you went through, though, and I assure you, we do not tolerate such behavior at our workplace. If anyone here did they, they'd be transfered so fast to Antarctica!"
Hisame looked uneasy. "Antarctica... I will keep that in mind." Wait, was she hiding something?
Yuzuriha put on a large, somewhat fake smile and clasped her hands together. "That's good to know. I can appreciate that this company will not tolerate such a person in its midst."
"People can change." Hisame said quietly, her face looking down, in thought.
"I do agree with Yuzuriha-san's point, though," Fuji had piped up. "If we have a person like that working here, people may lose trust in the company."
Suzuran put her hand beneath her head. "I agree, we must weed out such people!"
***
"Thank you." Hisame had thanked us on the way out, the interview having just ended.
"Yes, thank you." Yuzuriha stared at me. "I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again." Yuzuriha then left the room. And then it was just me and Suzuran.
"They all seemed so lovely," Suzuran said. "Fuji seemed totally in control, and I feel he will be extremely reliable."
I nodded. "I agree fully." A little boring, but I agree.
"A little boring though, but everyone's got their flaws, oh-ho-ho-ho!" Oh, it wasn't just me, then, thank goodness! "Hisame, I wasn't sure about her... she seemed good on paper, but from some of what she said, I worry if she could've possibly been the one who stole away Yuzuriha's husband."
"What no, no! She's innocent!" Um... oops. I mean, I can say with a hundred percent confidence that Hisame did not steal Yuzuriha's husband from her. Because I did. "Hisame was a strong woman, able to find her way through tough times, and she would be a great asset for the company." I took in a deep breath. "And I felt like I saw myself in her. She absolutely deserves this opportunity!"
"Oh-ho-ho-ho, you're really passionate about Hisame!" Suzuran looked excited. "Well I trust you fully, so if you have that much confidence in her, then we'll hire her as well. And Yuzuriha, of course. Yuzuriha will be a great fit!"
I nodded. "I agree."
Suzuran poked my stomach with her elbow. "You were a lot more enthusiastic about Hisame."
"Heh... sorry, sorry." In truth, Yuzuriha does deserve to be hired. The problem isn't her, it's me.
I had an affair with Yuzuriha's husband, Hiiragi, and got pregnant. That was Wasabi, and while I wish I could've had her some other way, I do not regret bringing Wasabi into this world. She is truly precious to me. But oh, how I bragged about how ugly and useless she was... that was a lie. If anything, she was more beautiful than I was, and that was jealousy talking. And she was very competent, which is probably why Hiiragi wanted someone new. Someone young and innocent to take advantage of. Or at least good at putting on the ditzy act, I was intelligent... but also really stupid and fell for him, got pregnant, and I already talked about Wasabi, but I don't mind talking about her again, light of my life! My parents wanted nothing to do with me anymore, but as long as I had Wasabi and Hiiragi, I could be happy!
...except Hiiragi left me soon after Wasabi was born. He wanted a perfect little housewife and realized that was not going to be me. Won't even pay child support, worthless garbage. For a while, I'd stalked Yuzuriha, sending threatening messages, blaming her for Hiiragi leaving me. I was going down a dark path, and Wasabi saved me... I mean, not directly, but I wanted to do right by her. I got therapy, and started doing better slowly but surely. I picked up the pieces of my life, found a job far away from home, and that's where I am still today! No one here knows the monster I used to be, and I really thought I could take it to the grave, but with Yuzuriha here, that may no longer be possible.
I should apologize, still. I am genuinely sorry for my behavior, and Yuzuriha did not deserve that. I don't know how to make it up to her. I don't know if I even can.
***
"I'm home."
"Mama!" Wasabi came running up to me, but stopped, looking concerned, putting her finger to her mouth. "Wasa?"
I tried to smile. "It's OK. Just work stuff. I picked up dinner from Etra-Eleven!"
Wasabi smiled and hugged me. "Wasa love you Mama!"
I hugged Wasabi back. "I love you too, Wasabi." If my daughter loved me, I had to be doing something right, right? Unless she'd hate me if she knew about my past. I'm honestly not sure."
***
"All right, everybody, we've got some new workers to help lighten the load." Suzuran was in front of everyone at work, along with the three new workers. "Fuji, Hisame, and Yuzuriha. I hope you will make them all feel welcome." Suzuran took a deep breath. "Now, I know it may be a little bumpy at first, we do need to train them. Sora, can you train Fuji?"
Sora saluted. "Aye aye!"
Suzuran laughed a bit, then turned to Tsutsuji. "Tsutsuji, would you mind taking Yuzuriha?"
Tsutsuji nodded. "I shall do my best!" I was thankful I did not get Yuzuriha.
Suzuran then turned to me. "And Kuroha, I'm sure I can trust you with Hisame."
I smiled. "Of course! I look forward to working with Hisame, and the others." I honestly wasn't sure if Suzuran had me train Hisame because I had supported hiring her so much, and thought we'd work well together, or if she thought Hisame would have more trouble than the other two and thought I could handle her, being such a perfect employee! And really, the training was going really well.
"I think I got this!" Hisame looked up at me after getting the program to work. "I am getting the hang of this!"
I smiled bright. "You're a fast learner!"
Hisame had a somewhat sad smile. "I kind of had to be."
I cocked my head. "Hmm?"
Hisame smiled big, but not a particularly sincere smile. "Oh, no, it's nothing." She was sweating, and I decided not to press it. "I've got to do good. I have to prove myself."
"Well you are certainly doing a fine job here. I think you'll do well."
The day went pretty well. I was still hoping for a moment to apologize, in private, since I didn't really want to air my dirty laundry out in front of everyone. I finally did get the chance in the break room later, with Yuzuriha in there by herself.
I was nervous, but I had to do it. Yuzuriha deserved this, and I walked over to her... not too close, didn't want to make her too uncomfortable... oh god, I was totally too close, wasn't I? No, focus, Kuroha, you can do this! I bowed my head. "Yuzuriha, I'm sorry."
Yuzuriha looked at me for several seconds of silence before speaking up. "OK."
I started tearing up a bit. "What I did was terrible, completely my fault, and you did nothing to deserve it."
Yuzuriha looked annoyed. "I already know that. Why are you telling me?"
I looked up toward Yuzuriha. "I'm sorry for doing those awful things to you. I'm sorry I took your husband away." Honestly, he was pretty trash anyway, but that doesn't excuse my own involvement. I'm sorry for stalking you and threatening you. I'm sorry for everything."
Yuzuriha continued looking annoyed. "If you're looking for forgiveness, then no, I don't forgive you."
I swallowed what felt like a lump in my throat. "I deserve that." I was really hoping Yuzuriha might forgive me, but I really can't blame her for not doing so.
Yuzuriha's expression turned downright angry. "It really says a lot about this company that they would hire someone like you, but I needed the job. But make no mistake: we are not friends, and we never will be friends." Yuzuriha sighed. "I have no intention of retaliation if that's what this is all about."
Ack! She misunderstood! "No, no, I'm sorry! But if you did retaliate, I'd probably deserve that."
Yuzuriha sighed. "Yes, you would deserve it, but also stop debasing yourself like that. It's embarrassing. I want nothing to do with you, so from hereon out, please don't talk to me unless it's work-related."
I nodded. "Understood. Sorry for bothering you."
"What did I just say?"
"Leaving!" I hurried right out of the break... wait, did she grow horns just now? I was imagining that, right?
I suppose things could have gone worse. Yuzuriha said she wasn't going to retaliate, but I wonder if that's true. I honestly would deserve it, though, so long as she keeps Wasabi out of it. Wasabi is pure. And adorable!
...thinking about Wasabi made me feel a little better just now, I need to do that more often.
***
...or just go out to have fun with Wasabi! It was the weekend, and we were at Mochiland!
"I want to go on the wasa coaster!"
I gritted my teeth. "I'm sure there are other fun rides... what about the Ferris wheel? You might like that one!"
Wasabi looked up at me with huge teary eyes. "But Wasabi loves the wasa coaster!"
"Wasa coaster?" I heard a familiar voice. I looked up and saw Hisame, with another woman. Hisame was all smiles. "I've never heard of the wasa coaster before!"
I laughed a bit. "That's just my daughter's special language. You learn it after a while. Anyway, this is my daughter, Wasabi, aka the most important person in my life!" I could see Hisame tearing up, with the other woman comforting her.
"I'm sorry," Hisame said, then started whispering something to the other woman, who nodded while smiling, before turning back to me. "Well, I'm actually going out with this lovely woman you see beside me, Kasumi." Aww, they do look cute together!
Kasumi smiled and waved politely. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Kasumi."
"I'm Kuroha, and this is my daughter, Wasabi. I work at the company where Hisame just started working."
Wasabi was pulling on my arm. "Can we go on the wasa coaster now?"
"Ooh, that sounds fun!" Kasumi put her hands together looking excited, turning to Hisame. "Can we go on the wasa... I mean roller coaster?"
Hisame grimaced. "You really want to go on that, don't you?"
"Very much!"
Idea! "Say, Kasumi, what if you and Wasabi went on together?"
Kasumi blinked. "Are you sure? Wasabi doesn't even know me."
Wasabi then hugged Kasumi. "New friend wasa! Wasa coaster! Wasa coaster!"
Kasumi blushed. "I guess it's been decided. Come on, little Wasabi, let's go on that wasa coaster--roller coaster!" Wasabi excitedly tagged along with Kasumi, while Hisame and I were just waiting. We both got a bubble tea and sat down on a nearby bench.
Hisame smiled softly. "I really am grateful to Mona Corporation for giving me this chance. I was worried that I wouldn't get the job."
I took a sip of my tea. "Oh, your interview went great! There was no way we weren't going to accept you!" Granted, Suzuran had concerns, but I convinced her. We both knew you were hiding something, but whatever you did can't be any worse than whatever I did... you didn't kill anyone, right? But really, sometimes you need a second chance.
"I guess... I've been turned away after interviews I thought went pretty well, though. I thought it might be more of the same." Hisame looked upward. "Kasumi is too kind, paying for my expenses, and I really wanted a job so I could pay her back, as well as supporting the two of us." Hisame chuckled. "I'm surprised she was even interested in someone who could only leach off of her for a while." I was surprised how comfortable she was talking to me, since we only started working together a few days ago. I understood, though. I was comfortable talking to her, too. But... not comfortable enough to tell her about my past. I was pretty sure that would scare anyone away.
But there was still a lot I didn't know about Hisame. I'm sure I'd understand, whatever she had done, but since I'm not comfortable sharing everything with her, either, I totally get it.
Soon after, Kasumi came off the wasa--I mean roller coaster, and Wasabi was running toward me with open arms. "Wasabi, be careful!"
"Mama!"
SPLASH!
...and I was soaked in bubble tea. I stood awkwardly, dripping. "I'm sorry, Mama." Poor Wasabi looked so guilty and sad.
I hugged Wasabi. "It'll be OK. But... is it OK if we go home, Wasabi? It's getting late." Also I wanted to clean off as soon as possible.
Wasabi smiled bright again. "OK Mama!"
I turned to Kasumi. "It was very nice to meet you, Kasumi." I then turned to Hisame. "And it was great seeing you outside of work."
Hisame smiled. "If you want, you can call or text anytime, doesn't have to be about work.
I nodded. "I'd like that." Sure, I got along well with my other co-workers, but it was always more of a professional friendship. It might be nice to have someone who's a friend friend. Even with Yuzuriha at work, I was feeling really good about life!
***
"Good morning, Tsutsuji!"
"...hi." I was back at work on Monday morning, but Tsutsuji seemed skittish for some reason.
Throughout the day, Tsutsuji seemed... off. She got along well with Yuzuriha, and seemed to get along with Akane, Sora, and Fuji, but she seemed very apprehensive of me. I was wondering if Yuzuriha had said something to her. I wasn't sure, but something certainly happened.
"Sora, did you notice anything strange about Tsutsuji today?" Akane looked concerned, as she, Sora, and I were in the break room. "I'm really good at reading people, and something seems weird with Tsutsuji and her."
"I did notice." Sora put her finger to her mouth. "Maybe she's not feeling well? She always got along well with you, Kuroha, hasn't she?"
I nodded. "She has."
Sora made a salute. "Well don't worry, I'll never leave your side!"
***
Then came Tuesday morning.
"Good morning, Sora!"
"GIEPI... I, I mean, good morning!" Sora nervously darted her eyes back and forth. "I have to do a thing now!" And she hurried off... somewhere.
Fuji scratched his head. "I have no idea what that was about."
Hisame turned to me. "Is everything all right?"
"Yesterday it was Tsutsuji, and today it's Sora... something is going on here."
"Maybe you hurt someone, and they're out for blood now." Yuzuriha took a sip of coffee and didn't even look up from her computer... but Tsutsuji reacted to that. It was slight, but I saw the twitch. So Yuzuriha has been spreading the news, apparently. I guess I kind of do deserve this.
"Do you have any idea what's going on?" Akane asked me in the break room.
Hisame looked concerned. "That's not normal behavior here, is it?"
I sighed, looking down. "It is not. I really do not want to get into things, but I have a pretty good idea of what's going on."
Akane winked. "Well don't worry, I'm not going to leave you!"
***
Then came Wednesday morning.
"Oh, Kuroha... ha... ha." Akane looked uneasy. "I... have this paper I want you to go over. Please review them." OK, yeah, that was strange. Tsutsuji was acting strange, Sora was acting strange, and now Akane was also acting strange.
I looked over the paper Akane handed to me... looked pretty standard... here is my proposal for... blah blah... the next step... yada yada... Kuroha, please take Hisame and meet me at Konomi's Café after work... profits are--wait, what?!
***
"So, what are we here for?" I asked.
"So I could get in a cameo this episode, oh-ho-ho!" Konomi brought us coffee. I looked out the window and saw a couple of construction mochi tearing down a wall. Konomi was middle-age, but she really looked great! for her age! Maybe running this café was giving her vitality!
"I meant, what did you want to talk to us about, Akane?"
"I know why people are avoiding you both." Both of us? Well, I guess people haven't been talking to Hisame, either. I thought it might've just been her being new, but that isn't the case. "I don't know if you two would be more comfortable without the other present, might not want the other person to know about things."
"It's fine." Hisame sounded almost defeated. "If I'm going to be friends with Kuroha, she should know who I am."
I shook my head. "Whatever you've done can't be half as bad as what I've done."
Akane had an uneasy smile. "Well, one of you definitely did worse things than the other, but I meant what I said about not abandoning you, Kuroha." Akane had a warm smile and took my hands. "Kuroha, you've been nothing but kind to all of us at work. You've been patient even when I screw up, and you've been... I'd like to say a friend. I've wanted to get closer, but never felt I could. You deserved better than me."
I teared up a bit, still having my hands held by Akane. "Thank you."
Akane let go and laughed a hearty laugh. "Oh, I'm not worried about that anymore, if anything you don't deserve me!" Akane wiped a tear from her eye. "But I can tell, from the e-mail, that's not you. At least not anymore. That's not the Kuroha I know and... appreciate. I cheated on my boyfriend in high school... then my boyfriend in college... then my other boyfriend in college, look, point is I messed up too, but I'm over those days. I'd like to believe I've become a respectable young woman since then."
I bowed my head, crying harder. "Thank you."
Akane then turned to Hisame. "And you're not as bad as Kuroha, so if I can forgive her, I can forgive you, too! We can be friends, too!" That answers one question, anyway, whatever Hisame did, it wasn't as bad as what I did. I kind of expected that, really. "From the atmosphere at the office, it's obvious that whoever sent this to me wanted me to turn against you, so I wanted to talk somewhere else, but if I have to, I absolutely will stand with both of you."
I took in a deep breath. "Hisame, I suppose, if we're going to be colleagues, or even friends, you should know about what I've done."
Hisame looked serious. "Of course we'll stay friends!"
"OK then." I took in another deep breath. "So our new co-worker, Yuzuriha, I had an affair with her husband."
Hisame looked relieved. "Oh, is that all? I was expecting worse, but I can see why Yuzuriha might want revenge."
I wiped some sweat from my forehead. "It is worse. The affair went on for months. Her husband wanted a divorce after I got pregnant--you met her, Wasabi--and I was happy... until her husband broke up with me. I stalked her and harassed her and terrorized her... but I really did love my daughter, and that's what saved me. I really wanted to be a good mom, so I got therapy and straightened out my life." I pumped my fist. "I wanted to do right for her sake." I wiped another tear from my eye. "I've been doing great, really, able to get my current job, everyone depends on me... or depended on me, at least, I'm raising a beautiful daughter, I really couldn't ask for more." I looked down. "But if Yuzuriha wants to take her revenge out on me, I suppose I had it coming."
Hisame looked a bit puzzled. "Are you sure it was Yuzuriha?"
I was a bit confused by that question. "I guess technically I don't know for certain it was her, but who else would want revenge against me?"
"Why would she want revenge against me, though?" Hisame looked deep in thought. "I don't even know her! How could she even know about what I did?"
That... that is a strange question. "That is weird."
Konomi was wiping the table behind us... for the past several minutes. "Don't mind me, just cleaning up."
Hisame had her arms crossed over her chest and shook her head. "Well, it's only fair I told you about my life. It may not be quite as bad as your story, but it's still pretty bad. And who knows, maybe we can figure out who sent the e-mail. I had an ongoing affair because I hated my husband." And snakes were even coming out of her head, this was not a good memory for her. "I liked him because he was rich, but he was... not exactly abusive, but one step below that, like he definitely made sure I knew my place in the marriage. 'He was vaguely mean' isn't a strong argument in court, and he was able to prove the affair, so guess who got stuck with having to pay a huge amount of compensation! Yes, it was foolish to have that affair, especially when that guy abandoned me after the divorce!" Hisame then chuckled to herself. "Promised I'd swear off men from then on, and I accidentally followed through. Kasumi helped me up after I'd tripped, and she stuck by me, even after learning about my past." Hisame was smiling. "And we've become exceptionally close since then."
Wow. I was WAY worse!
I hugged Hisame. "I'm sorry, Hisame. You had it bad. I am happy that you were able to find love, though."
Hisame sniffled. "Thank you."
"Aww, group hug!" Akane exclaimed, then joined in our hug. "Everything is going to work out, I just know it! Maybe if we explain things to Tsutsuji and Sora, and we can get Suzuran to--"
GLASS SHATTERING NOISES!
That was Konomi... I mean, it was pretty obvious she was eavesdropping on us, but that absolutely confirmed it.
"Did you say Suzuran? As in the Suzuran who works at Mona Corporation?"
I smiled nervously. "Yes?"
"That BITCH!" Konomi clenched her fist. "She had an affair MY husband, then sued ME for having an affair with MY husband with fake marriage certificates, incompetent judges!"
What.
WHAT?!
"Wait a minute!" Hisame piped up. "During the interview, Suzuran mentioned how her husband was stolen from HER!"
"Hogwash! What utter rubbish!"
"So wait," Akane asked, "could Suzuran be behind all of this? But how could she have known about my past and Hisame's past?"
"Public records maybe?" I was still a bit confused. "How else could she have learned information about me and Hisame? I certainly didn't tell Suzuran any of that."
Hisame was tapping her chin. "I actually got an e-mail from Suzuran herself, encouraging me to apply at her company, for a position under her. I wonder if Yuzuriha got a similar e-mail."
Akane held her head in her hands. "This is all just so unreal." But it was real.
I didn't understand. "What does Suzuran want?"
"Control." Konomi answered very matter-of-factly. "She and I used to be friends. Hell, I taught her to laugh like a true noblewoman!" Wait, that wasn't just a joke Suzuran made? "Suzuran was always very bossy, though, always wanted things her way, and did not like being told no. And she's gotten clever over time. She knows what she needs to do to get the results she wants."
"And she wanted me to blame Yuzuriha!" It all made sense... wait, no it didn't, this was ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! And yet, it was true. This nonsense was all true. "Yuzuriha's been hurt enough! She doesn't deserve this! But she also won't believe me."
"She'll believe us." Akane pulled Hisame closer to her. "She doesn't know us. We can explain to her what's been going on."
I was tearing up even more. "Thank you guys." Akane pulled us all in for another group hug.
...including Konomi. "Please let me go."
***
The next few days at work were awful. Fuji had apparently gotten the e-mail as well, considering his behavior. Akane was pretending to not like me or Hisame, which she admitted was killing her. Yuzuriha seemed confused... at first. Akane and Hisame explained things, and she was on board. We needed to expose Suzuran.
Akane, Hisame, Yuzuriha, and I met outside our workplace a few days later, a bit away from the entrance, to avoid being noticed. Yuzuriha spoke up first. "For the record, Kuroha, we are not friends, but I don't like being used."
I nodded. "I am OK with that. What's important is that we're all on the same page here."
"Let's do this!" Akane exclaimed. "Also Kuroha, do you want to go out with me!" Wait, what?! "Sorry, bad timing, but if I didn't ask it when I was this hyped up, I knew I would never ask it again!" I was disappointed that I didn't answer right away, it just came so out of the blue, and I had other things on my mind at the moment.
Akane and Hisame had rushed off to get Suzuran, while me and Yuzuriha were at the elevator, ready to start hurling insults at each other. And soon enough, Akane and Hisame came down the elevator with Suzuran in tow.
"Unhand me!" Suzuran demanded.
Hisame shook her head. "But Kuroha and Yuzuriha were fighting, so we thought we should get you, our boss."
Akane looked worried. "Yeah, they're really going at it. It looks like it might even get physical."
"I can't believe you're trying to ruin me!" I shouted, putting up my fists, all for show, of course. "It was ten years ago, get OVER IT!" It pained me saying that. Even if we both knew I didn't mean it, it legitimately hurt saying that.
"You will never understand what I went through!" Yuzuriha looked positively demonic... this was kayfabe... right? I hope? "You deserve to rot in hell!"
Suzuran looked nervous, from what I could catch. "Please, girls, you must stop this!"
"I had everything!" I can only imagine how deranged I looked at that moment. "I had built this perfect new life here, until YOU took away EVERYTHING!" And I took out a knife... a fake retractable knife, and 'stabbed' Yuzuriha, who had the fake blood prepared.
"What... have... you..." and Yuzuriha collapsed, way too convincingly. She kind of scared me.
I then turned to Suzuran. "And you just had to hire her, didn't you!" And now, I was looking at Suzuran with bloodlust.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Suzuran got on her hands and knees and begged.
Akane knelt down, looking concerned. "It's OK, Suzuran, you couldn't have known."
"But I did! I knew you two hated each other, and I brought her here to pit you two against each other!"
"Huh?" I was playing dumb. "What are you talking about?"
Suzuran shook her head. "I sent e-mails to the other workers about your past, to turn them against you, and to get you to blame Yuzuriha and go at each others' throats, but I'm sorry! Please, please don't kill me!"
And then Yuzuriha started laughing. Yuzuriha stood up, laughing heartily.
Suzuran blinked, looking completely lost. "Wait, what's going on?"
I started laughing too. "We got you good! We weren't fighting. I don't even hate Yuzuriha, not even a little!"
Yuzuriha shook her head. "I'd feel less guilty if you did hate me."
Akane looked confident. "We got you to admit what you've been up to!"
Suzuran smirked. "It's too bad you can't prove it."
Hisame took out her phone, winking. "No, actually we can."
Yuzuriha looked more annoyed than anything else. "I'm sure we can trace the e-mails. I wonder who we'll find out those were from."
I was grinning too. "And I wonder if we can find out who's been looking at public records. I'd be curious about that!"
"You lowlifes should rot in hell! It's my generosity in hiring you that you have jobs in the first place!" Suzuran rubbed her head in frustration. "How did you even figure it out?!"
"I overheard." Konomi was here... wait, why was Konomi here? She walked over to Suzuran, lifting her chin. "They were talking about the problem they were having in my café, and your name got brought up. They certainly chose the right place to have their discussion." Konomi held her had to her mouth. "Hopefully they'll tell all their friends, oh-ho-ho!"
Suzuran was on her knees, screaming to the sky.
***
Suzuran got reassigned to Antarctica... well, OK, not really, but a remote village out in nowheresville. What happened after that, I don't know!
I was promoted to manager! The president did not know of what I did, and if Yuzuriha was ever going to tattle, that would've been the time, but she didn't. Yuzuriha said she wasn't looking for revenge, and she meant it. She really is a better person than I am.
Tsutsuji, Sora, and Fuji apologized for their behavior. I really wasn't mad at them, though, I understood what had happened. It really didn't even occur to Tsutsuji or Sora that I was less than perfect, they really did idolize me, but I'm just human. I make mistakes, too. Huge, colossal mistakes.
Yuzuriha and I actually get along slightly. We're not best friends or anything, but she has forgiven me, and she wanted my daughter to get to know her own daughter, Karashi. They're half-sisters, after all!
Hisame and I are best friends, though. We do a lot together, and even go on double dates. Her with Kasumi--an absolute angel all the way, far too pure for the rest of us--and me with Akane.
It really means a lot that Akane never turned her back on me. She didn't judge me without hearing me out. And the reason she seemed flirty was because she was, indeed, flirting with me, I feel stupid for not figuring that out sooner! But Akane is absolutely beautiful, inside and out.
***
"And then I had to pull Kasumi's head up from the water!" At a restaurant, Hisame was telling me and Akane about something that happened to Kasumi, who was red as a beet.
"You don't have to tell that story..." Kasumi was so embarrassed.
Hisame rubbed her cheek against Kasumi's. "Aww, but you were sooo adorable! And you can tell an embarrassing story about me, now!" Kasumi giggled.
Akane looked excited. "Well we've got stories, too, like Kuroha's started spinning in the office chairs sometimes."
I stuck my tongue out at Akane. "You're the one who encouraged me to try that when I was bored!"
"Oh, and there was the time Kuroha thought a kappa was the client we were trying to impress!" Akane, that doesn't count, we weren't together yet!
Kasumi pointed at me, looking embarrassed for me. "I think you're embarrassing her."
Akane had a mischievous grin. "But she's cute, right?"
Kasumi giggled. "I suppose so."
"Boop!" Hisame booped Kasumi's nose. "But you're cuter!"
Akane clenched her fist. "We can't let them win! Boop!"
I laughed. "That was too forced, it has to come naturally." Akane puffed her cheeks, frustrated. "Like that!" I poked her cheeks together. "Boop!"
Akane stuck her tongue out. "That's not how booping works!"
Hisame laughed. "I still can't believe Akane just confessed her feelings out of nowhere like that!"
Akane threw her hands into the air. "I was under a lot of stress! But whatevs, she was beautiful." I saw the video, I looked like Sadako! How did you not fall out of love then and there!
Hisame cuddled close to Kasumi. "I still can't believe she liked me, jobless, debt-ridden, I was a real catch!"
Kasumi rested her head on Hisame's shoulder. "I liked the real you." Kasumi grinned. "And that you actually have been paying me back, that too."
We all had a lot of fun and enjoyed our meal, then we went our separate ways. Akane was going to spend the night at my home, but we had a stop to make first.
"Bing-bong!"
And the door opened. "You again. What are you doing here?" I'm fine with taking some ribbing from Yuzuriha. She really isn't bad. Wouldn't trust her to have Wasabi over otherwise.
I answered. "Just hear to pick up Wasabi and her half-sister, Karashi." Yup, Wasabi's half-sister was coming over, too! "I heard she was looking forward to the sleepover."
"Oh, she really is!" Tsutsuji answered as she walked to the door, with Wasabi and Karashi in tow. "Again, I'm really sorry about how I behaved at work when I found out about your past."
I nervously put my hands in front of me. "It's OK, really. You don't have to apologize so much."
"I wish you'd take your own advice there." Yuzuriha had a wry smile.
I stuck out my tongue. "That's different, I was way worse than Tsutsuji!"
Tsutsuji looked to us. "We really do thank you, Yuzuriha and I were going to be out for a while." Tsutsuji had quite the coy smile there.
Akane smiled. "It'll be great, Karashi is such a good child!"
"Wasabi is also a good child!" Wasabi boasted.
I smiled. "Yes, you are."
Karashi bowed to us. "I really appreciate this. I'm happy to get to know my half-sister."
"You're welcome!"
Akane and I headed home with Wasabi and Karashi. Karashi was not very much like Wasabi, but she was a good kid, and I'm glad they have a chance to get close. I made hamburger, which Wasabi always loves, and Karashi enjoyed it too. Akane really got into playing with them, almost like she's a big kid at heart. But soon it was time for bed... sleepover or not, they were still kids who needed their sleep.
Wasabi yawned. "But I'm not sleepy wasa."
Karashi smiled slightly. "Yes you are sleepy."
Wasabi hung her head in shame. "Yes, I am." I couldn't help but laugh a bit. I hugged Wasabi goodnight, and Akane did as well, Wasabi really likes the affection. Karashi doesn't like being hugged, don't want her to feel left out, but it's up to her, really. They were in bed, and Akane and I were getting ready for bed ourselves.
Akane raised an eyebrow. "So, wanna' have fun tonight?"
I laughed a bit. "Not with Karashi here, you know that!"
Akane laughed herself. "You're right, you're right, gotta' ask though. Cuddling is always nice, though."
I smiled bright. "It is! You, Hisame, Wasabi, I don't deserve so many great people in my life. But thank you!" I glomped onto Akane this time.
Akane hugged back. "You paid your dues, you deserve to be happy. You've got to stop being so hard on yourself. You're perfect the way you are, today!"
I started tearing up. Akane really was right. I was beating myself up too much, and I needed to stop that. I did bad things, outright evil things... but it's not who I am today. I really need to try to forgive myself.
"Thank you, Akane."