XXI

Never did Chizuru thought that sitting around, reading reports on the computer, filing documents and running from one department to another just to get things signed could be so tiring. She admired Mitsuko for her grace under all the pressure she must be in. Kazama is keen with details. He's competitive, straightforward and expects the best result possible. She's learning a lot under his watch and even acquired skills in preparing coffee.

One time Kazama asked her to make him a coffee and it tasted so bad she thought he choked. That led to a crash course on preparing coffee with Saitou. Turns out she had a talent for it and Kazama traded a cup from a coffee shop for her creation.

It's only been a month and a half. She's tired but enjoyed the tasks given to her. Mitsuko was really nice and she walked her through everything she needs to know. Kazama seems to be keeping his distance though. She's fine with it. They've known each other for the longest time though. It just felt odd for them not to talk to each other but it's probably for the best.

~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~

Kazama dismissed the meeting. Everyone got up quietly at first then started discussing in small groups. He was invited for lunch but he politely declined. He decided to stay behind to edit his presentation for his next meeting. Just as he was about to start, he realized that he forgot the documents he needed. He looked through his stuff again and grumbled in dismay. He reached for his phone, ready to scold his secretary.

"I'm glad I made it in time" the familiar voice swept the room, catching his attention. He received the folder from Chizuru without a word and checked if she did bring the right one. He placed the folder heavily on the table.

"Next time, knock before barging in" he commented and watched her smile fade.

"I'm sorry. I'll make sure to knock next time" she ducked her head. "Is there anything else you'd need?"

Kazama who has already turned to his laptop just waved his hand in a shooing motion. He heard her mutter an 'alright' and excused herself. He continued typing for a while then stopped. He realized how much of a jerk he has been to her since she started her internship. She was diligent and efficient but he's yet to pay her a compliment. He continued working and thought that he should try talking to her again without the attitude.

~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~

Looking down the empty cup of coffee next to her keyboard, Chizuru thought of how much she yearns for her bed. A yawn urged her to stretch up before slumping down her chair with a sigh. It's the lazy time of day and there was nothing to do. Kazama was out on a meeting and Mitsuko was with him doing the minutes. She checked her phone but there were no new messages or missed calls. Since starting her internship she barely used her phone at work. It turns out that using mobile phones at work is one of Kazama's pet peeves.

She swiveled her chair and watched as the ceiling swirled above her. She planted a foot on the floor, stopping the chair. She decided that a short nap shouldn't hurt. Besides, the meeting wouldn't end in 30 minutes or so. She closed her eyes with a yawn.

"10 minutes" she muttered as she formed her arms into cushions, making it more comfortable for a nap. The world faded quickly as soon as she shut her eyes. It didn't took long for her to get that peaceful falling sensation. Then she woke with a start.

"What do you think you're doing?" there was a knock just in front of her face snapping her out of siesta.

"Ah… I…" her words jumbled upon the sight of Kazama who was obviously not happy to catch her slack off. "I'm sorry" she got up and ducked her head.

"Tsk." Kazama handed his things to his secretary who gave Chizuru a supportive smile. "What if someone else saw you sleeping? What would they say? That I got an unprofessional intern who does nothing but snooze?"

Chizuru looked away with apologetic eyes "I'm sorry"

"If you want to sleep do it at home" he noticed how flustered she got and didn't held back a smug smile. "Are you bored?"

She shook her head in response. "I'm not"

"Liar" he muttered as he leaned closer to her.

The smile on his face was one that she hasn't seen for a while now. It was a smile that reminded her of the time when things were simpler between them.

"Get ready and freshen up. You'd be attending a meeting with me" Kazama started to walk off to his office.

"Eh… but I couldn't sit in a meeting. I'm just…"

He halted and turned to her. "Are you defying my orders? I should make a note of that in your grading sheet then"

"No! I'm sorry. I'd get ready right away" she grabbed her bag and disappeared to the washroom.

~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~

"Hey" Kazama glanced at Chizuru who was quietly tapping her fingers on her black leather bag.

"Hmm?" she peeked at him.

He was about to say something but stopped as soon as the elevator door opened. A group came in and he didn't say another word till they reached the parking level.

"Are you enjoying work?" he has another question in mind but decided to save that for later.

"It's good, learning new things and getting things done. I thought admin work was really boring at first but it isn't" she laughed softly.

Kazama was waiting for a comment about his attitude towards her and felt relieved when he got none "It can be monotonous but it's an important job" he unlocked his car, breaking the stillness of the parking's atmosphere.

She hopped unto the seat next to him. It was a relief that the awkward air between them may have a chance to fade. "Where is the meeting anyway?"

"It's not exactly a meeting. A social event actually but you know how those things go" he started the car and drove off.

Of course she knew how a simple hi and hello turn into a 6 hours meeting regarding investments, expansions, mergers and gossip. "I see. So is there anything I should do exactly?"

"Nothing much. Just follow me and listen." In truth he's got no idea of what he'd ask her to do. He hated to admit it but he was finding reasons to spend time with her. "You can always go when it no longer interest you. I won't tell"

"Eh? I can't do that it's still work hours. Besides I've endured a lot of that already. So what's another meeting I could barely understand right?" she beamed at him and he reciprocated.

"Are you still getting followed around?" he glanced at his side mirror, surprised that he hasn't seen any of her bodyguards since she started. He knew that they take her to work then pick her up but he still hasn't brushed elbows with them. He preferred it that way though. He has no wish to see that bodyguard of hers or should he say lover of hers.

"They wait just wait for me to finish work. You said we'd be back early so it shouldn't be a problem"

"Getting rebellious aren't we?" he teased as he stepped on the brake as the lights change from yellow to red. There was a moment of silence which he broke as soon as the lights turned green. "I'd lessen your desk work and train you on management and planning. These are some essentials if you plan to take an executive position in your company in the future"

"I never imagined myself working for our company…but I guess I'd have too"

"You do, who else would take care of what your father built"

She chuckled. "Kaoru can manage…" it's a selfish but honest answer.

Kazama was aware that she has a different field of interest but he did too when he was younger. He wanted to tell her that she could escape and do what she wants if she changes her mind and marry him. But saying so will make the rift between them wider than it already is. He then changed the topic to random things, like how he found this new single from an up and coming band. She responded with interest and listened to him intently.

Just like old times.

~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~

Heisuke flipped his phone open then close. A sigh of disappointment escaped him as he concluded that he's been single for so long. He forgot how it was to have someone text you random things or call you at the most inconvenient time. Flipping his phone open again he realized that the young lady should be coming out anytime soon. She'd be sending him a message to pick her up once she's out.

He leaned back and placed the phone in front of him. "Maybe I should attend that speed dating event this weekend" he muttered.

Almost an hour of day dreaming later, he grabbed his phone and wondered what's taking her so long. He decided to call her but after three tries there was still no answer. As usual when things like this happen he panics.

"Oh shit…Chizuru…" he tried calling her again. He was so concentrated in trying to reach her that he failed to notice the man outside his car. A couple of knocks on the window startled him like a sleeping cat.

"Damn you Souji!" he cursed as he opened the window.

Souji handed his partner a tall cup of coffee. "You should've seen your face"

Accepting the coffee, he stepped out of the car. "I can't contact Chizuru"

"What?" Souji looked at his watch and realized that it was more than an hour past office hours. "She hasn't sent me a message the whole day either" he muttered as he fished out his phone and tried to reach her but failed like Heisuke.

"Maybe she's still inside. We can call Kazama's office. I have the number" Heisuke suggested. Souji nodded in response.

The call was a brief and the secretary informed them that she was out with the boss. She didn't disclose the location of the event though. Heisuke relayed the message to Souji and noticed the passing annoyance in the man's face. Since his return he noticed a significant change with how Chizuru and Souji interact but refuses to put malice into his observations.

"I guess, if she's with Kazama then we don't have to worry. I'm sure he'd bring her home" Heisuke beamed. He wouldn't mind waiting for her but his stomach is revolting and it wants food.

"Yeah. I'm sure he will" Souji replied as he slipped into the driver's seat.

"You're driving?"

"Uh-huh"

He tossed the key to Souji who caught it without fail. "We're going home?"

"In a bit" came the reply along with the starting of the engine.

"Don't tell me we're going to look for Ojou-sama" Heisuke hopped on the seat next to Souji.

"Of course"

"But how? We don't even have a clue where they are." He protested. 'I'm starving. I really need food' He already has a list of things he'd be eating in mind but he can see that Souji wasn't kidding. There was a different surge of urgency in his actions. He noticed the irritated sounds he made and the tapping of his finger on the wheel.

"Hey, she's with Kazama so I'm sure she's fine. They're probably on a date or something" he snickered. On contrary, his companion looked displeased.

Souji abruptly stops the car on the side of the road to answer a call.

~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~

Chizuru felt her heart skip a beat as she saw the calls she missed from both Souji and Heisuke. She got so carried away with the event. She turned her phone to silent when Kazama was invited to sit with the executives they partnered with for an upcoming project. The discussion was interesting but it dragged longer than expected.

She was sure that Heisuke is freaking out and Souji would be pissed. Without another thought she dialed Souji's number.

She looked back at the reflection of herself in the powder room's mirror. He picked up quickly. "Souji, I'm sorry" she started "I forgot to tell you that I went on an event with Kazama. I thought we'd be back soon but we got caught up" she bit her lip waiting for Souji to respond. "Uhm…Souji?" she muttered as she listened to the silence on the other side of the phone.

"Where are you?" he was obviously riled.

She walked towards the couch on one end of the powder room and slumped as she filled him in on the details of her whereabouts. She explained that she would have to stay a bit longer since it doesn't feel right to just leave abruptly. She wouldn't admit but she's interested to hear more from the people they met. They're experts in their own field. Their stories were interesting and they inspired her. It wasn't a bore like she initially expected.

"We'd be waiting for you then" Souji replied and ended the call after an exchange of goodbyes.

~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~

Heisuke glanced at the rearview mirror and was dismayed to see the glum look on Chizuru's face. Souji knocked on his door earlier to tell him to bring the young lady to work, he didn't complain. Last night he noticed that something was off with the two as they drove home. Souji didn't speak to Chizuru and she was looking at him worriedly.

A thought popped on his mind as the car halted in an intersection. He brushed the thought away instantly and snickered, gaining the young lady's attention.

"Heisuke?" she muttered as she sat up.

He glanced at her and beamed. "Thinking that deeply would make you look old"

She just smiled at him and assured that there is nothing to be worried about. But Heisuke was worried. He was worried that his hypothesis might be real. The two may have formed a deeper bond in his absence.

~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~

It was a busy hour in the city and the streets are sprawling with people. His attention was on the most random of things even if she's next to him. Silent treatment wasn't his style but spewing words when he's in a bad mood is worse. He's been sulking for a couple of days and his witty retorts aren't helping the situation either. At this point he's expecting screaming and dramatic walk outs. She's not like that though.

They stopped at an intersection waiting for the pedestrian signal to change. The back of her hand brushed with his. He didn't mind. She then placed her hand lightly on his wrist, slipping her palm slowly to fit in his and tangled their fingers. Her hand was cold and a quick glance at her told him a lot. He can be a snotty princess and continue with the attitude. But he won't.

The signal change and he tightly held her hand. He felt her eyes on him and he pursed a smile. When they reached the other side, they walked for a while then he stopped.

"Chizuru, we've been walking for half an hour" he looked at her. He got a frown as an initial response.

"Sorry…" she mumbled. "Maybe we should just go home"

"No" he started walking again, keeping her close. "It's still early."

"Would you like to see a movie or have dinner?" she suggested.

"Either is fine" he gave her a smile which lighted up her face. "But we should walk together often"

"I think so too" she replied. "Souji…" she turned to him. "I'm sorry about the event, I should have told you right away so you didn't have to worry." She waited for a response but got none. "I shouldn't have accepted his offer for lunch the other day. Also, when he dropped by to deliver the cake personally...it was to thank me for this tedious task I helped them with. It meant nothing so I thought it's ok to accept it. I wouldn't have if you didn't want to"

"I'm kinda over it" he finally replied. "I'll sulk a bit more and I should be fine"

"Don't...I can't take take it when you're not speaking to me" she blurted. "I'm really sorry, it won't happen again"

Soft laughter escaped his lips. "Really?" he brought her hand to his lips "I wanted to punish you longer because I got so jealous but I can't take seeing you so blue either"

"I was insensitive of your feelings"

"And I can be a real pain sometimes. Sorry."

"It won't happen again. I promise"

"I know. But I'd still smack him hard next time we meet" he announced smugly.

"Souji…"

"Just kidding" he snickered "Let's watch a movie and grab some food"

She nodded "I'd love that"

He's just glad they can enjoy each other's company now. They can talk about things further later. The night was young so why waste it squabbling about things that has passed, he thought.