Multi-chaptered AU: "Queen of Disaster"
Disclaimer: Citrus is the property of Saburo Uta, the characters do not belong to me.
Mei Aihara; a beautiful woman in her mid-20s, was known to be good at everything she does. In sports, she was undeniably an athlete that made both girls and boys run head over heels towards her. Not only did she excel in sports, but she was always at the top of her class back when she was in college.
But with all the praises she received, one person can't seem to look at her with adoration... and it annoyed her to no end.
That same person accomplished the same thing as she did, and she tried to intimidate her but it didn't just… work!
All that person did was smile back at her, and she just wanted to punch her perfect little teeth.
"Hi, how are you doing with your project?" A cool and calm voice pierced through Mei's skull which brought her out of her musings.
Mei looked at her with an annoyed sigh escaping her lips, "Don't you have anything to do other than to destroy my day?"
"My, my, all I did was ask you if you're not overworking yourself again, Ms. Aihara." Yuzu tilted her head sideways and stared at someone from a distance pensively, her mouth slightly ajar. "Anyway, I'm sorry for 'destroying your day' Ms. Aihara. I'll get going now."
Mei glared at her but softened her gaze. "Wait, my team and I had discussed that these matters should be disclosed to anyone whose talents may be of help. And since you made yourself known, I may ask a few tips coming from someone who had connections from the business agencies that will gladly support and would want to see through as to what this project may contribute to our company in the future."
Yuzu grinned smugly at Mei's candor. "All right. I'll see what I can do. I'll help you."
"I didn't ask for you t-.."
"Yes, you were. I guess we'll discuss these matters in private quarters. Meet me at xxxx, at 3 pm. it's a date." She winked at Mei who blushed at her final remark and smiled from ear to ear from having to dissuade the 'queen of disaster.'
It was about a year ago when there was a ruckus that Mei Aihara destroyed someone. Emotionally, mentally, and physically. That poor old guy's heart was torn into shreds when the raven-haired girl bluntly said, "You're no fit for me," in front of a lot of people. IN FRONT OF YUZU.
The blonde always thought that there's more to that ice-cold interior that the raven-haired girl is emitting, and she's bound to know that today.
"Oh, Mei. Here you are, what took you so long?" She cleared her throat and straightened her back. Her eyes tracing Mei from head to foot. And she was just stunning as ever.
Pfft, I'm not gay.
"I was… lost." Came Mei's meek reply.
"I should've picked you up."
"No, it's fine, nothing that I can't handle." Her reprimanding voice back to its place. "So about our project proposal, our team was thinking to improvise a new design for the face of this month's new released-scent, thanks to your genius economic friendly and all-natural perfumes…" She paused when she saw Yuzu's attention was far from hers. And sighed. Audibly. To show just how much she's annoyed. "I know you're taking this lightly, given your status from our boss, but I won't let you humiliate me like this."
"Umm, I'm sorry, what?" Brows creased and slightly taken aback, Yuzu remained from her seat as she tried to explain herself, "I'm not taking you lightly, I'm multitasking. As you can see, Christmas is fast approaching and I'm recording the sales while giving as much as I can help you. But I'll have to let you know that I'm not a slacker, and I'm listening to you while doing my job at the same time. So, umm, where were we?"
"I'm sorry, I was just stressed out, it's unfair that I have taken it out on you. So about the…"
When all was said and done, Mei realized the shift in the atmosphere, Yuzu was smiling a lot more and started sharing things that don't concern work.
"I was fairly impressed, Miss Aihara, I think you do yourself a disservice for saying that you can't manage a team, let alone become a wonderful example of a good leader."
"You're not bad yourself, Miss Okogi."
"Yuzu," The blonde smiled at an empty space.
"What?" The raven-haired stared bemused as she wiped the corners of her mouth with a table napkin.
"Just call me Yuzu, c'mon, we've known each other back when we're in University, but we have never talked like this."
"Then I guess you can call me Mei as well." She took her purse and fumbled over her phone as they exchanged contacts.
"Please tell me more about you, I'm interested." Yuzu's eyes were curious.
"I will, once you do the same."
The blonde smiled. "Of course."
"What?! That's lame! I didn't think that those traditions are still transpiring these days!" Yuzu said with an exaggerated gasp.
"They still do, my grandfather was a conformist but I didn't like it when he'd said that I have to marry someone, regardless of my approval."
"That's crazy, I'd be the luckiest man if I'd fish someone like you! How'd you get yourself out of that predicament?"
Mei ignored the blonde's initial remark but can't help her face from warming up, "Well, I told him bluntly that I can't marry a man I just met." Mei smiled at the brought of memory.
"Oh my god, that's just some Queen Elsa thing to say!" The blonde was now reduced into a laughing fit. "But I'm glad that you're not tied into those things anymore. I bet you'd be one of those bitter moms, who'd be looking around for their seventh child!"
Mei giggled at Yuzu's comment, it's the first time she'd felt like herself in the last few years. "So, how about you, is there anything you wanted to share with me? Something interesting or special, perhaps?"
"What? No, not as interesting as yours! But I guess it won't hurt if I shared a little."
….
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, I guess we're even."
"Don't be, I barely remember him and I still have Mama, so it's not that hard to move on." Despite Yuzu's subdued mood, she tried covering it up with a smile.
"I remember that girl you've mentioned, Taniguchi was it?"
"Ahh, yes. My partner in crime, we had so much fun fiascos together! If my memory serves me right, she kept going on and on about you. She even reiterated your infamous 'No loitering and always remember to avoid stops on your way home!'"
"I bet you both were having fun mimicking me." Mei returned to her stern voice.
"Well yes and no, I always think highly of you, and I'd shut her up whenever I had the chance." Yuzu was caught in the moment that the confession slipped into her mouth so easily.
"Say what now? I thought I was a mere figment of your imagination. You never paid much attention to me like all the other students." By the realization of Mei's reply, the raven-haired tried to look downwards - embarrassment was written all over her face.
"Well, I do. Omaygofdhdjhbveh, this is so awkward. I mean, yes, and who said that you're just a figment of my imagination?" Yuzu was freaking out by this point.
Mei coughed and looked at her wristwatch, she really wanted to continue this conversation and to know more about blondie here, but it seemed like she's taking much time talking about … business, so she stood from her seat and reached her hand towards the blonde and said, "I had a fun evening, thanks to your courtesy, but I'm afraid I have to cut this short, I would love to hear more from you if you're willing to take the time to set an arrangement with me again. If you'd excuse me, thank you." With a slight bow, the raven-haired girl started to walk.
The blonde stood and followed her heel and asked, "Can I call you tonight then?"
Mei smiled and recomposed herself as she spun around to meet Yuzu's gaze, "If it's not a bother for you."
A/N: I know I should be updating my other story but instead I made a new AU. I will be updating my main fic tho.. This will be a multi-chaptered story, I'm just trying this out and I hope it will work.
Sorry for the lack of beta-reads for this, I made this just now and I didn't wanna read it while writing this one.
Also, I made new friends on Ao3 and I feel so loved to have conversed with them. The Broken, you're such an angel!
Please do visit me on my main fic if you haven't yet.
emf
