Stress Relief

It was a cold air that swept across the streets of Tokyo, the sun had set and the moon was shining high above in the sky. At this time of day, everything was winding down as people headed home from a long day's work, knowing that it would be bright and early the next day to go back, while the restaurants served patrons having spent a long day in the office or of various positions for those who hadn't eaten dinner, or chose to come in as opposed to serving themselves at home. On this particular evening, Haida was making his way back home after another stressful day at work, it had been the usual for him; mental labor between putting up with Ton breathing down his neck, watching Tsunoda and Komiya sucking up to the manager in their usual mannerisms, and once again, trying to give the hint to Retsuko about 'being more than just friends', getting the same result each and every time. He gave an exasperated sigh at the thought, thinking that this was another case of being just his luck, expecting when he came back to work for things to play out like they usually did as he rounded the corner.

"Hey, Haida!" A familiar voice rang out from the right, causing the hyena to perk up at the sound and look in the direction that it had come from. It revealed itself to be Ookami, the maned wolf who Haida was co-workers with, though the two appeared to have maintained a steady companionship from the hyena's perspective, thinking that, however, made him realize about how he could do with giving his friend more attention, and probably less thinking to himself without introduction.

"Oh, hey, Ookami, didn't expect to see you out here", Haida said as he watched the lupine standing next to one of the restaurants.

"Eh, you know I tend to dabble in places like this after work", Ookami replied simply in his usual chillax manner, something Haida sometimes envied with how someone in a job so stressful could still be content, "you wanna come inside and eat with me?"

"Huh...oh, uh, I guess that wouldn't be too bad, I mean, I haven't exactly eaten myself", Haida responded as he rubbed the back of his head, and then blushed when he heard the sound of his stomach growling.

"Hmmmm, somebody's hungry, better get you in quick", the maned wolf teased as he opened the door to let the other male in before going in himself. Being that it was later in the week, seating would haven't been easy to find under the circumstances, though the two co-workers appeared to be in luck as a table with open booths was available to them. Like any sensible person would, they took the seats as quickly as they could. After they had ordered food for themselves, they began to talk it up.

"So, how have things been with you?" Ookami quizzed casually.

"Oh, you know, a pain in the ass as always", Haida replied with a wave of his paw in the air, "certain things could be better, but I suppose I should dwell on it too much."

"Why does that sound so ironic?" Ookami asked without a hint of malice in his voice, though Haida grimaced slightly at the irony of his own comment.

"Haaaaaa...maybe you're right there…" The hyena said, looking down at the table, "it's just...you know, the whole thing between me and…"

"Yeah, I'm aware, surprised if the entire office didn't make it into one big joke", Ookami replied, "though, I gotta say, I'm not sure it's the healthiest thing for you to keep doing...well, that…"

"Ain't it ironic how much I know, yet won't acknowledge it?" Haida asked, slightly bitter, "I guess I'm just a wreck of all kinds, given my...ahem, breakdowns from the past."

"Yeeeeeeeah, about that, and then you ending up hospitalized...you think that...maybe, it's time to move on from whatever goal you're trying to accomplish with her?" Ookami said with a genuine concern in his voice, "Like, I don't wanna see you hurt yourself over something like this, it's not good for you, nor good on my conscience."

"Haaaaaaa, I know, I wish it were that simple," Haida replied sadly, "it's just that this has been such a big part of me that I...don't know if I can break apart from it that easily…" The hyena's face suddenly turned slightly red as he felt a paw coming down on his own, looking down for it to reveal being Ookami's.

"I guess it'd be wrong of me to think it could all just go away instantly, but…" The lupine stopped himself for a few seconds before continuing, "perhaps, I could...help with that...you know…"

Haida looked down at his paws then back at Ookami then back down at his paws with a sigh. "You know, I'm surprised that you'd wanna help someone like me seeing as I barely give you the time of day, makes me wonder what you see in a friend like me…" The hyena lamented before he felt the maned wolf's paw on his shoulder.

"I admit, we don't spend the most time together as I would like, but still, it makes me more determined to see you get better, plus, I do care for you, Haida, even if you can't see it or I don't show it broadly enough", Ookami replied with a bit of tenacity in his voice before he withdrew, "got a little theatrical, I know, that was...weird…" The maned wolf said, slightly embarrassed before he heard Haida clear his throat.

"Well, I mean, it was definitely...something, but...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't flattered," Haida replied, trying to sound comical, "plus, it's...sweet…" Now it was his turn to be embarrassed at his own words, feeling it had come out too corny until he found himself and Ookami making eye contact, holding for a few seconds...until the maned wolf gave his nose a boop, causing him to yip, he could have sworn he felt contact on his lips.

"Gotchu there", Ookami grinned in an effort to lighten the mood. Haida, while initially caught off guard, did find the gesture to be cute and found himself able to relax for the first time in ages, thinking to himself that he would be hanging around the maned wolf more often in the coming days.