Blurred Lines

Disclaimer: Maria-sama ga Miteru and its characters are not mine.

Jealousy

Yumi pressed the elevator button, glad that another workweek was over.

It had been a couple of weeks since she was 'released' from the Resort Project, her workload and office hours having normalized. It felt oddly strange that after that toxic two weeks, everything assigned to her seemed somehow manageable – she would have said easy, but that would be a bit too overconfident on her part. In any case, that just spoke volumes as to how difficult her previous assignment was. It was something that everyone in the office knew so when the email came out congratulating her and Mr. Sawada for having done an 'exceptional' job, Yumi received commendations from people who didn't even talk to her prior to the project.

Yumi didn't like the attention very much, but was sincerely grateful for the kind words she received. The email was sent by their Managing Director to the whole project team, with all the department heads copied. Yumi's manager later on explained that it was meant to empower the others to perform well, posting it as some sort of a challenge for the other project team members to deliver the same level of commitment and results as they had.

Yumi looked around and was not so surprised to see that everybody in her department had gone home. It was Friday night and her friends had a group date organized, one which Yumi had declined to join. Her friends didn't force her to come, since she told them that she and Sasaki-san were now exclusively dating.

The elevator door soon opened and she greeted Yoshida-san who was standing on the corner, near the elevator panel.

"Fukuzawa-san, you're still working overtime?" Yoshida-san said with a kind smile.

Yumi had not seen the big boss' secretary since she returned the watch. Their last interaction was awkward and a bit of that feeling still lingered as Yumi stood beside the other woman. She remembered Ogasawara-sama's advice that she should have a ready answer should Yoshida-san press on getting more details about where she found the watch. But given that it's been more than a month since the incident happened, Yumi thinks it was highly unlikely that she will be questioned further.

"Just some last minute work I need to turn in." Yumi responded.

"Good for you. Miss Ogasawara is still upstairs. The technical team just submitted their work and she's reviewing them now. She's been skipping meals and will probably be staying behind again once the review process starts."

Yumi kept her eyes glued to the closed elevator door, unsure why the secretary was telling her these things. A part of her was worried that Yoshida-san had an idea as to the budding relationship (Yumi wanted to say 'friendship' here) between her and the company president. Though a bigger part of her started to worry.

"She's a workaholic." Yoshida-san concluded. "I am worried that her health would fail if she keeps up this routine."

Yumi didn't want to say anything at first, not wanting to give a hint that she cared. So she settled for a more general response,

"That's not good."

"Yes. I offered to buy her dinner but she refused. I suggested that she go home for the night since she's been too stressed lately, but I got reprimanded." Yumi chanced a glance at Yoshida-san and she did look conflicted.

"Maybe she'll eat when she gets home."

"Maybe is indeed the right word." Yoshida-san sighed, "In any case, I am just worried because it wasn't the first time that I've seen her this focused and dedicated to a project even at the expense of her health."

The elevator soon pinged and the door opened. "Thanks for listening, Miss Fukuzawa. Have a good night."

Yoshida-san went ahead of Yumi because for some reason Yumi's knees felt heavy, like she wanted to go back up and check on Miss Ogasawara. Yumi could just picture the executive scolding Yoshida-san for giving unsolicited advice…and it would be the same if she did it too. But what could she do? After hearing all that, Yumi couldn't just go home without trying to do anything.

- - - o 0 o - - -

Sachiko scanned the document with a deep-set frown on her face, finding the technical team's work to be below her expectations. Her mind was already thinking that the week she had allotted for the review phase wouldn't be enough to amend all the errors, nor to put in the details that were needed.

Maybe she had been a bit too lax since the design team did a good job. She made a mental note that the technical team was a weakness and that she might need to ask for support from the head office. So instead of noting down her comments, Sachiko made some of the corrections herself, thinking she would just point it out when she meets with them on Monday.

She felt her stomach grumble but ignored it and chose to stay focused on her work, at least until she heard a faint knock on her door. Sachiko saved the document before looking up to see who it was and was slightly surprised to see Fukuzawa Yumi standing on her semi-open door.

"Good evening, ma'am," she greeted. Sachiko was quick to notice that the woman looked slightly nervous.

"Yes, Miss Fukuzawa, do you need anything?"

Sachiko was glad to see her, but at that moment, she was in a rush to finish a work that she believes she couldn't complete over the weekend.

"I just came to give you this," Fukuzawa stepped inside and showed her a paper bag. It had the logo of a popular fast food chain, the one that just opened on the ground floor of their building. "I heard from Yoshida-san that you stayed late and haven't had dinner yet. I am not sure if you eat fast food, but the restaurant downstairs is packed. In case you don't and you can just wait for an hour, I'm sure I can get you something you'd like."

Sachiko closed her laptop screen and smiled. Fukuzawa must have seen the irritation on her face earlier, which was why she looked wary. "Who do you take me for? Of course I eat fast food."

Fukuzawa breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. I was worried you wouldn't like it."

In Sachiko's mind, she'd accept anything Fukuzawa Yumi gave her, but that is a thought she would not voice out. "Though I must admit I don't eat much fast food. The last time was…" Sachiko looked up trying to think. It took a few seconds before she realized that she had in fact not eaten at a fast food joint. "…well, I already forgot" she concluded, unsure if she wanted to divulge this information to her newfound friend.

Fukuzawa then approached her and left the food at the edge of her desk. "I won't take up much of your time, I'll be heading out now." The woman immediately added.

"Why don't you join me for dinner?" Sachiko offered. "To be honest, I feel like eating something else tonight. I haven't had a meal since this morning." She may have been busy with work, but the comfortable presence Fukuzawa always brings with her made Sachiko think that she needed a break.

She had not seen the brown-haired woman for a couple of weeks and they hadn't exchanged messages either, Sachiko realized that she missed Fukuzawa Yumi's company.

"Is there anything specific you'd like to eat? I can order take out for you."

Not the response Sachiko was hoping for, but one she expected since it was coming from Fukuzawa. She would have wanted for the younger woman to blush and think she was being invited to a date.

"We could go eat at a restaurant." Sachiko clarified. "It would be good to get out of the office for a while."

At these words Fukuzawa Yumi stiffened. What Sachiko didn't know was that the younger woman was trying to avoid being seen with her in public. Though this time, Yumi decided to voice this out.

"Miss Ogasawara, wouldn't it spark rumors if people see us together." Yumi began, "I mean, we are after all boss and subordinate."

The older woman donned a thoughtful expression for a moment, "I did think of that, so I was hoping we could go to a restaurant where nobody knows us. You can also cook, like the last time, but I was thinking you'd be too tired."

Yumi should have been flustered by now, being spoken to with such familiarity. However, given the countless times Ogasawara Sachiko removed her mask and acted like herself in front of Yumi, it had made the younger woman easily slip out of work-mode as well. Yumi allowed herself to be conceited and accepted the fact she is getting special treatment – at least when they are alone. After all, being told that they could have been soeurs was similar to saying that they are already friends. It is just awkward to verbalize it.

"Though I would love to eat a home-cooked meal made by you. The sandwich you made last time was good."

This time Yumi was flustered.

"Well…if you put it like that, then I would take up the challenge and gladly cook something for you."

Yumi only learned how to cook when she moved to Yokohama. The recipes she knew are mostly taught by her mother, so she was not an expert cook by any means. "Though I know your palate is quite sophisticated, so please lower your expectations."

Her words earned her a raised eyebrow, "My palate is sophisticated, is it?"

"I assume it is. Though I must admit that I don't know you very well, any one in my position would have guessed that it's the case." She defended.

Ogasawara Sachiko rested her chin on her interlaced fingers, her pink lips curled up before she gave Yumi a cryptic gaze. "Let's get to know each other better then."

The way it was said sent shivers up Yumi's spine and she didn't know why, but she felt her cheeks flaming as she met those blue eyes.

- - - o 0 o - - -

Sachiko drove in silence, glad that Fukuzawa seemed to have calmed down. The younger woman is currently on her phone and gone was the blush that adorned her cheeks earlier, nor the uneasy look in her eyes.

She had said those words earlier, curious as to how Fukuzawa would react. She was not usually like this – in fact, it was so not like her to enjoy teasing anyone. If her onee-sama learned about this, she would surely be surprised. But Sachiko had no intention of showing anyone else this side of her, and Fukuzawa seemed to have realized this as well. She was glad that the other woman was so conscious about keeping their friendship a secret for both their sakes. It was not like they were hiding – Sachiko just thinks that they probably both enjoyed the peace and quiet of not having to justify, or explain, to anyone their relationship.

The sound of a vibrating phone halted Sachiko's musing.

"Can I take this?" She heard Fukuzawa ask.

She hummed her affirmation, which garnered her a quick thanks.

"Yes?"

Fukuzawa's voice was so soft, as if not wanting for Sachiko to hear a word she was saying.

"I'm out with a friend."

Sachiko should have been focusing on her driving, but she just couldn't stop herself from listening. Admittedly inappropriate, but she just couldn't resist.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Ren-san."

Sapphire eyes widened upon realizing who the other end of the line was.

"Yes, my place."

Sachiko's temper suddenly flared up. At that moment, she wanted to snatch the phone out of the other woman's hands and throw it out the window.

"Maybe before noon?"

She gripped the steering wheel tightly so that her fingers were turning to white, it was the least she could do to keep the green-eyed monster from rearing its heads.

"I'm sorry about that." Fukuzawa said in a normal voice. From her peripheral vision, she saw the accursed phone being put back in the bag.

Sachiko…at last…was able to breathe, but negative emotions still swirled inside of her. It took a while before she responded…before she was sure her irritation wouldn't be so evident in her voice.

"What for?" If she had been clear-headed, she would know there was no need for Fukuzawa to apologize. But she was not, so that apology seemed to have held more than one meaning that Sachiko had to clarify.

"Because I know you don't like Ren-san."

'Ren?! He was Sasaki-san just months ago!'

"What makes you think that way?" Sachiko's voice was low and even to herself sounded hostile, so she was sure Fukuzawa figured out she was angry.

"I am not sure why, but every time you hear his name, you look irritated somehow. I am not sure if you knew him from before, but I assure you he is a good man."

"Why would I be angry with a man I haven't met before?"

Fukuzawa fidgeted in her seat, her cheeks reddening again, "I don't know either. But I am certain that you are irritated now."

"And you suddenly know me so well so as to know what I am feeling?!" Sachiko spat and because her eyes were on the road she was unable to see the dejection this drew on the younger woman's face. No further words were exchanged and the uncomfortable atmosphere remained even as they reached Sachiko's apartment building.

- - - o 0 o - - -

It was presumptuous of Yumi to have said that. Why would she even dare to think that Ren has anything to do with Ogasawara-sama's sudden change in mood? That was why she held her tongue, stopped herself from saying anything more. And it continued to be the case as she followed the executive out the car, up the elevator and into the supermarket at the ground floor of the luxurious condominium building.

Miss Ogasawara told her that she didn't have any food at her place and suggested they go to the grocerystore. It was said in a milder tone, her anger probably abating, but still Yumi just nodded her head in agreement and kept her silence. Even when she pulled out a cart and walked around to get the ingredients – Yumi suggested Hamburg steak and Ogasawara-sama agreed – there was very little conversation.

They soon finished and went up to Miss Ogasawara's unit, which of course was a mansion compared to her miniscule studio-type apartment. Upon entering the door, there was a shoe cabinet at the genkan. It lead to a hallway that opened up into a spacious living and dining area. There was a white leather couch to her left, facing a flat screen television. To her right was a glass dining table that could sit six people and hanging on top was an ornate light fixture. But what caught Yumi's eyes was not the expensive finishing nor furniture, but the panoramic view of the bay visible through the glass walls that covered the living area. At a distance, she could see the Ferris Wheel (currently illuminated green) at Yamashita Park. The twinkling lights by the bay shone brighter with the moonless sky as a background.

Yumi walked forward until her hand touched the cold glass wall, her eyes glued to the beautiful sight before her, hoping to momentarily escape the awkwardness of her current situation. She stood so close to the wall that it made her feel like she was floating in mid-air, suspended above the Kishamichi Promenade.

"It looks amazing, doesn't it?"

The gentle voice of Ogasawara-sama brought her back to reality and she felt a gentle pressure on her shoulder.

She had experienced this a couple of times and somehow got accustomed to these 'actions' of Miss Ogasawara. No one in the office would guess how 'touchy' their top executive was, and it was somehow making Yumi warm all over.

"I'm sorry for losing my temper earlier."

The older woman's hand slid down her upper arm and squeezed them.

"Hmm." Yumi just hummed in response, unsure of what to say. She had mentally prepared herself for the awkward silence, had planned to cook dinner then leave as soon as she was done.

"Will you look at me?"

The gentleness and the pleading tone tugged at her heartstrings. She felt like she didn't have the right to be angry, why would she be? But somehow, if she was to be honest with herself, Miss Ogasawara's attitude did upset her somehow.

"Please, Yumi?"

Yumi turned around and found herself face-to-face with the executive, her face looking apologetic, "You have every right to be angry with me." The hand on her arm slid up and settled on her cheek, "You are correct that I don't like Sasaki Ren, and it irritated me that your relationship has progressed to the point that you now call him by his name and you are so openly inviting him into your home. I am…"

Hesitation was evident in those blue eyes before she continued to say "…I am jealous of him."

..

Yumi thought for sure she misheard…

'Jealous?'

…but she found it too embarrassing to ask the executive to repeat what she said.

'Why would Miss Ogasawara be jealous of Ren-san? It couldn't be that she...'