1. Pushover

The hot summer sun beat down on the busy streets of Tokyo, Japan. Sora Takenouchi glanced at the watch on her wrist, her eyes widening as the realization hit her that she was going to be late. Her short heels clicked against the sidewalk - A bagel between her teeth, her phone in one hand and an iced coffee in the other.

"I have to hurry… I can't let him win," she muttered to herself, cursing when she felt her legs instinctively pick up the pace to a small, quick jog. As she turned the corner her building came into view.

Sports Journey Journal

She leapt through the front doors, quickly apologizing as she nudged shoulders with the woman who worked the front desk, "Sorry, Sheri!" Sora said over her shoulder, her words muffled by the bagel. Sheri waved her on, chuckling as she returned to her desk to start the day.

Sora stole another glance at her watch. Two minutes to spare, she smiled victoriously to herself. "I win agai-" Sora's legs came to a sudden halt as she turned the corner to the elevator. She frowned, groaning in frustration as she saw him pressing the button to call the elevator.

Suddenly aware of her physical state, Sora slowed her pace and joined him in waiting, hoping her hair didn't betray her and her timeliness. As she joined him by the elevator Sora was instantly hit with the smell of his cologne. She scrunched her nose, already regretting that she didn't take the stairs.

"Late morning today?" He said looking down at her, "You look like you were in a rush."

Sora shrugged, "I just thought I'd give you a head start… And my car is in the shop." She could sense the smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as he followed her into the elevator. He pressed the seventh floor, whistling to fill the silence as the elevator ascended.

Sora stole glance, grimacing at his attire. It was Monday, of course he was wearing the dark blue shirt and dark pants. A watch with a thick, black band circled his wrist and he leaned back against the railing as casual as ever.

"Take a picture it'll last longer," he said, throwing her his signature smirk.

Sora scrunched her face, "Oh please. I was just trying to figure out how you can go so long without brushing that mop on your head. How can you expect to get a promotion if you don't fit the professional look."

The man laughed, his fingers running through the thick brown hair on his head, "And what makes you think you fit the professional look, Sor? I'm charming and fun. You're… Something." He waved his hand, chuckling lightly at her reaction.

"I-," Sora pinched the bridge of her nose, "It is too early to deal with you, Taichi. Please don't talk to me for the rest of the workday I've had my fill."

Sora had gotten a job as a sports journalist right out of college. She would've been stupid to not take it for the price it paid. The first few years were enjoyable, until he was hired. At first, Sora didn't mind the tall goofball in the office. He brightened the place and made everyone smile. The two of them quickly climbed the company ladder, working as personal assistants for the two CEOs of the company. Now that she shares an office with him daily, she is convinced they hated each other.

Taichi shook his head, "The workday hasn't even started yet. We have all day to chat." He gave her a smile that was almost reassuring. Sora shook her head as she quickly stepped out of the elevator and stormed to her desk.

This week is already off to a bad start, Sora thought as she sat at her desk. Tai sat across from her, their bosses deciding that having their desks facing each other would lead to more teamwork. It didn't. The two hardly talked and if they did it was usually exchanging snarky comments and insults.

Sora watched Tai closely, judging him for the day. He placed his pencil perfectly lined up with the side of his desk, his planner and sticky notes organized perfectly. She hated how put together he made his life seem. She hated how on top of everything annoying and terrible about him, she still found him attractive. The audacity he has.

A large door at the back of the room opened. A short, stalky man entered the room, laughing loudly as he greeted Taichi.

"Taichi," he said, clapping his shoulder, "You're later than usual. Sora hold you back?"

Tai laughed with the man, shaking his head, "Not at all, Bennett. Slow elevator this morning."

Sora rolled her eyes, ignoring the exchange between Tai and one of the CEOs. Bennett laughed louder, "Women, am I right?" He shot a glance at Sora, Sora feeling his gaze linger longer on her legs than she usually enjoys. She crossed her legs, tucking further under her desk.

Tai shook his head, "I actually enjoy working with woman. They add a bit of fun to the office."

"Oh? An office romance?" Bennet laughed, "Yeah right I bet you don't need to find that in the office."

Tai chuckled, doing his best to entertain the man, "You bet. I've seen what a dry spell can do to somebody." Sora could've sworn his eyes glanced to her. She gripped her pen tighter, hoping the two men wouldn't notice her knuckles whitening.

"Tai," Bennett laughed, "You're just fantastic. Definitely a shoe in for the promotion," Bennett glanced at Sora, "This includes you too, Takenouchi."

Sora looked up from her planner, giving him her best, professional smile, "Of course. What is it, Bennett?"

Bennett cleared his throat, "Joann and I have been discussing and we think it's time we have someone working directly under us. The workload for us two CEOs is a bit much… And we think you two are the best candidates."

Sora's smile brightened, "Wow. Thank you for considering us. I'm sure whatever choice you two make will be the right one."

Bennett nodded, eyeing Tai, "Of course, Takenouchi. I know it will be." With that, Bennett walked back to his office, the smile dropping from Sora's face, turning to her usual look of annoyance.

"A dry spell? Really?" Sora whispered across her desk to Tai.

Tai glanced around his computer monitor, holding back laughter, "What I thought it was funny. Why do you think I was referring to you?"

Sora gripped her pen again, her blood beginning to boil. He always had this way of getting under her skin. He knew how to push her buttons, "You literally glanced…" She groaned, shaking her head, "Nope. I won't let you do this. Not today."

"Do what?" Tai said, watching her as she took a deep breath.

"Drag me down to your level and I am tired of you doing that. You do this constantly," she turned her attention back to the email she had been working on, already regretting her answer as he opened his mouth to reply.

"And what level would you want me to drag you down to constantly? Horizontal?" Tai's eyes didn't leave her face. Sora turned to look at him, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.

"Absolutely not," Sora cursing at herself as her lips turned up into a slightly entertained smile, "Never in a million years, Taichi," Sora said, hoping her voice stayed steady and a blush didn't climb her neck. He returned to his work, Sora hoping that was the last of him for the day. Tai marked a sticky note, adding to the tallies he had been taking since they started working together.

Sora eyed the tallies, it had been her mission to decipher these mysterious marks. She had yet to figure out the code. She was pulled out of her thoughts as her desk phone rang.

"Hello?" Sora said, Tai tapping his pen on his desk, "Hi Joney. Of course!... Oh you're project?... Yeah I did need that today… I… I can't do an extension… I know you'd appreciate it but…. O-Okay… Tomorrow night then. Have a nice day!" Sora hung up the phone, rolling her eyes as she already saw Tai leaning back around his monitor.

"You're too nice you know that?" Tai said, Sora doing her best to ignore him. Tai cleared his throat, "You let this whole office walk all over you and you care way too much about what they think of you."

Sora glanced at him, "Oh? I'm not sure what you mean. How about you mind your business. I know you're just upset that they always call me instead of you."

Tai sighed, "They call you because of me because I don't give them extended deadlines and I don't let their gazes linger for too long and act nice when I'm uncomfortable and yes I saw how Bennett was looking at you. It's weird…" Tai waited for her to respond. When she stayed silent, Tai continued, "You're always mean to me, why can't you be a smidge like this with everyone else?"

Sora pulled away from her keyboard, "I'm not mean to you you're the mean one. And you flirt with Bennett all of the time. I've never heard that man laugh so hard."

Tai shook his head, "If I flirt with Bennett then you flirt with the whole office."

"No that's what you do. Please don't clump us together," Sora's eyes met his for a second, noting the mischievous glint that began to rise in his. God what is he coming up with now.

Tai stretched his arms above his head, "Welp, if I was flirting you would definitely know. And I promise, Sora, you'd be thinking about it later in bed."

Sora felt pinned under his gaze. Would she? He was nice to look at and even though his hair was messy, he really could dress. What was she thinking? She responded fast, Oh. Is this your way of saying you've been thinking about my bed then?"

Tai nodded approvingly. Why did she always give him a response? Someone to play biggest-insult-tennis with. "Exactly what I'm thinking," Tai said, "Do you have a headboard or not? I'm not good with design decisions."

"Taichi," Sora returned to her emails, "As much as I would love to help you with interior design," she glanced at him, her crimson eyes signaling the conversation was over, "I actually have work to finish today."


The workday slowly came to an end, Sora avoiding any extra conversations with Tai. Tai had left an hour ago, leaving Sora time to judge his desk. She eyed it, still filled with confusion on how surprisingly organized he was. His notepad was in it's usual place, his pen in it's usual place, and his tally mark sticky notes were… Two extra tallies from yesterday? Sora shook her head, Keeping score are we Kamiya?

"Snooping?" Sora jumped as Tai's voice sounded behind her.

"No you're just so…" She said, holding her chest to calm her breathing.

Tai nodded, "Charming? Attractive? Intelligent? Shall I go on?"

Sora shook her head, "No no. None of those. You are predictable."

"Predictable? Why?" Tai sighed, "Is it because I actually keep my desk organized in comparison to your hell pile?"

Sora shook her head, "If I ever saw you act out of character I would die of shock. You're literally always the same."

"See there you go being mean to only me again," Tai said, smirking, "Anyway I remembered you mentioning your car was in the shop so I came back to offer you a ride home? Yeah?"

Sora let out a quick laugh, "Okay well. Guess I'm dying of shock."

"I'm not an ass, Sor," he flicked his keys in his hands, "I do have manners you know."

Sora shook her head, "I'd rather walk. But thanks. See you tomorrow." Sora brushed past him, ignoring his frustrated stance.


*Author's Note*

Soooo… Hello there. Yes yes I know I have Long Shot to finish and I PROMISE it is coming I have just been in a bit of a rut with it and I want to tie it up good. I've had an enemies to lovers type of office romance planned between these two for some time and finally had the energy to write it!

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think 3

- Moon