The morning light pouring the windows was glaringly bright and the songs of the birds outside were obscenely cheerful. How dare they be so cheerful? Didn't they know that he was under extreme duress? Shunsui squinted his eyes in an effort to dim the blinding light, but to no avail. No matter how he shifted the light was either directly in his eyes, or else reflected off the accursed paperwork that sat before him.
A delicate clearing of a throat made him aware that Nanao was still lurking in the room, making sure he actually completed his work. He stole a glance in her direction. She seemed occupied in her own work, but he was not fooled. If he even thought about other occupations she would on him faster then he could imagine possible. If only she would put that brilliant mind and stunning reflexes to other uses, he mused. Ah, how glorious his Nanao-Chan could be.
Even as it was she already crowded his thoughts and haunted his dreams. Her eyes burned into his very soul, and with every cutting comment or slap from her fan, he felt that they drew closer. If she truly despised him she would have requested a transfer long ago. And as for her constant refusal…well, it seemed to Shunsui that the lady doth protest too much.
Out of the corner of his eye, Shunsui saw Nanao look his direction and seeing his apparent lack of progress, frown. He hurriedly began to scribble notes on the form in front of him. For now he was content in the knowledge that he was wearing her down. Someday, he would pull a smile from her…