It was the shortest day ever in her working history. The whole eight hours felt like three minutes. She was fidgeting: five pm means death. It means she's gonna be killed by her boss or it means she's gonna get fired. Either ways, she will die. If there's a way that she can run away, she'd do it, even if it means getting fired. Wait, no. That would cause her demise too.
It's a personal order from Asano as himself, and not as her boss, to wait for him after shift. Being honest, she was also curious. She wanted to know what he would want to say. Because, although she did her best to forget, that night was too much of a something to erase from memory. He poured his heart out to her, rather unwillingly, because that was drunk confession and that doesn't count as a willing confession. She understood how he felt, and she is a grown up, she knew how bad it would feel if she'll use his vulnerable state against him. Had she been younger and more immature, Asano would've kissed his pristine image good bye because as soon as she took the video, she would definitely upload it right away. He should thank all heavens that they're grown ups now. She sighed. It's time to actually wait for him at the parking lot.
"Nakamura-san!" She was almost by the glass door when she heard Asano's secretary called her. With a heart that has almost stopped, because usually that voice always says 'the boss wanted to see you in his office' and that equates to overtime, but in her case, it's on a much more difficult level, she turned.
"Yeah?" She plastered a fake smile.
"I'm really sorry for this, but you know boss" Uh oh. The secretary continued, "He wanted to see you in his office, like, right now."
Rio tried her best to keep the fake smile in her face. She's damn nervous. "Sure, okay." She immediately turned away from the secretary.
"Ahm, Nakamura-san! Wait." She felt a hand on her elbow. She turned, facing a smile on her coworker's face, "Don't worry, the job's done for the day, I think all he's gonna give are instructions for the conference tomorrow. No overtime." She winked. Rio laughed.
"Okay, okay, thanks. Take care on your way home."
"You, too."
Ah, she's sweet, Rio thought. It's a good thing that Asano's secretary is as sweet as her. She always tries her best to be a cushion to Asano and his job, which is a very difficult job. At some point, Rio respects her for that.
She nervously made her way to the dreaded office once again. She knew that Asano would never want to talk about that in his office. What does he want again?
She carefully opened the glass door of the chamber of doom. Breathing heavily in and out, she entered.
"Good afternoon, boss," she greeted emptily, like a robotic response because her mind is not working properly at the moment due to nervousness.
Asano was writing something, as usual. His laptop is open and it seemed like he's not going home anytime soon. If anyone is addicted to overtime in their entire company, it was Asano himself. He just have this attitude that he wants to drag other employees to this strange overtime addiction. Rio just wanted to get over their 'talk'. It took him a full minute before acknowledging her presence and offered her a seat.
"Have you read my note?" He asked casually, not even turning to face her. His eyes are fixated on his laptop.
"Yes, sir," she hesitated. Suddenly, the city view behind him became the most interesting thing ever.
He stopped typing and properly faced her. She sat up straight, straining all the thoughts of running away from the awkward vibe of the room. She avoided his eyes again. He opened his drawer and pulled out an envelope.
"Go to this restaurant and wait for me there. That restaurant is approximately thirty minute drive away from here. The address is there. The reservation slip is inside. I'll be out at 6, see you there at 7." He spoke in a very business-like tone that it irritated her. She checked the clock placed on the wall, 5:20 pm. Did he just command her to wait for like an hour!? He handed out the envelope but she refused to take it.
"Seriously? Shift is over so you are no longer my boss, Asano. Are you actually asking me to wait for you in an exclusive, five star restaurant for an hour? No way I'd do that. Besides that restaurant is too far from my place. I don't know what you want, if it's about that night or what, but no, sir. Not gonna wait for that long," Rio crossed her arms to point out that she doesn't want to be told what to do.
"Then wait for me until maybe 6. We'll go there together, then," Asano spoke like it's the most obvious resolution ever. "Or if you're too impatient, you can help me here so I can finish earlier. This is something serious, Nakamura. You may think I was too intoxicated that time, but I actually do remember everything." He nonchalantly said as he continued typing in his laptop.
Her eyes widened. She didn't know if he's embarrassed about his confession because if he is, then damn, he is a pro in hiding it. And because of his annoyingly straight face, she was the one getting flustered. But she knew better. Oh, so he wants to play 'who gets embarrassed first', huh? She can perfectly play along with that.
She snickered. "Well, well, well, are you asking me out now, Gaku-cchi?" Time to bring out the devil she hid for ten years in her, then. Asano, you didn't know what you signed up for. She picked up the envelope.
"Look at this, a five-star restaurant, just to talk about a, well, let's say, a little slip of truth maybe? Are you planning to make me shut up? What if I won't? What would the precious, perfect boss, Asano Gaku-cchi do?" She challenged. That made Asano stop typing. He met her eyes, anger evident. He smirked. Clearly, he's in for her challenge.
"Careful of your words, Nakamura-san. You may never know when it will be thrown back at you. I would've had no rebuttal if you weren't asking more that night. You were all over me, remember? Had not the 'little slip' happened, you might have begged for more over and over that night."
Okay, that's it. The war definitely starts now. Rio suddenly became ashamed of what he said, because that was partly true, as much as how she wants to deny it. But there's no way she's backing out.
"A pity that it didn't happened, though. Because if it did, who knows maybe you can forget that person. Oh wait, that's impossible because there's a probability that you won't even make me scream because you're thinking of them doing you. That would be the worst se—"
"I wouldn't want to continue that if I value my work." He warned. For this round, Rio knew that she won. She giggled triumphantly. This is going to be fun.
"I'm done here. Let's go," Asano suddenly said as he closed his laptop. That was faster than expected. Rio glanced at the clock. It was just 5:30. They were roasting each other for just ten minutes.
"I thought you'll be done at 6?" She inquired as he stood up, starting to fix his stuff.
"I thought you wouldn't want to wait long?" He sarcastically answered, not even a glance on her.
She chuckled, "Wow, what a waste of a handsome gentleman. I'd love to date you, you know, if you weren't into g–"
He looked daggers at her, obviously warning her not to finish her dangerous sentence. She won once again.
They agreed that she will just wait for him at the parking lot, just like the original plan. It would be too suspicious if they'd be seen leaving the building together.
Soon, she saw his car. She immediately went inside her own and followed him. True enough, it was thirty minutes away from their company which is already considered too far, for Rio's standards. Her being restless is not helping, either. She doesn't even know what to feel already.
They both pulled over at the parking space of the restaurant. Much to Rio's surprise, it looked nothing like she expected. It is way beyond her expectations. At first look, it seemed like a really sumptuous hotel, but on the top floor you can see the restaurant. Not only that it was located at the higher part of the city, it looked too fancy that she had to check if what she's wearing is appropriate for the location. Her work outfit is acceptable enough. Asano, on the other hand, looks so comfortable. Hell, even with his currently haggard appearance, he still manage to look decent enough to fit in the place that Rio just wanted to throw something at his smug face. He headed to the restaurant, not even looking back at her like he was expecting her to just follow him.
After floors she lost count of, they finally arrived with the restaurant part of the hotel. If the outside was too elegant, the interior of the restaurant is thrice as much. The ceiling was made of glass, adorned with crystal chandeliers. The tables were luxuriously set with silver, various sized spoons, forks, and knives. It's like every girl's drean date, if it's not Asano she is with. There isn't a crowd inside, someone was playing a piano beautifully, and the ambiance was overall calming, elegant, and almost romantic. As they pass, the waiters and waitresses bowed. She smiled and bowed in return as Asano talked to one of the waitress and gave the reservation. They were lead to a table for two at the corner. As expected, the table is far from people. Perfectly private for the embarrasing talk they were about to have.
"Wow," she whispered. She couldn't help getting awed by the view from their table. It was overlooking the whole city.
"Our orders are coming up in a few minutes," Asano said as he shift comfortably on his seat.
"Excuse me? Our orders? Our?" Rio stopped looking at the view and glanced at Asano incredulously. He didn't even ask her what she wants!
"Yes, our. What, you thought this is a date so you choose your own food? Well, Nakamura-san, I'm sorry to burst your bubble but this is not a date you've been itching for. This is a business meeting. And if you want to eat what you want, you'll have to pay it with your own money," he said as he leaned in and shoved the menu to her side, obviously mocking her.
She slightly turned red at his remarks. She totally forgot that she is in no place to complain. Of course this is not a date! She checked the prices of the meals and one thought: the food there costs three meals. She grinned sheepishly.
"Well?" Asano teased.
"Well, I have to pass. Sorry boss," she mocked apologized.
She was about to tease him once again so he can spill what the purpose of their 'business meeting' is when she saw him saw something behind her that wiped the colors of his face. He looked horrified.
She hadn't had the chance to look at what he saw when she heard a rather familiar voice.
"Asano-san, what may have brought you here in my hotel? Oh, and mind if you introduce that lady you have here to me?"
Rio hesitated if she will turn. She knows this voice, for sure. Somehow, she also knew that with the memory of that man, he knows her too. And since it is Asano Gakushuu she is with now, there's no way she is wrong.
"President Asano, I thought your flight back here in Japan will still be next month? What is this sudden return for?" If looks could kill, Rio will be dead for sure. Only her because maybe the man is skillful enough to dodge his own son's attack.
She heard the man chuckle, sending chills down her spine. As if by his laugh alone, he can poison someone.
"Answering question with a question, I see. Well, I returned for business purposes. My school needs me. This hotel needs me. A responsible man should be able to juggle his duties, don't you think? Besides, when I heard that my son is reserving for the first time in my restaurant with an old schoolmate from the precious Kunugigaoka Junior High School, I think it would be fun if I spice things up a bit, right, Nakamura Rio-san?"
Rio swallowed. The environment changed abruptly. It was supposed to be just a discussion about that embarrassing time, but now it became something beyond that. She stood up hesitatingly. It would be totally rude if she doesn't acknowledge the man's presence.
She turned and bowed, "Good evening, Mr. Asano Gakuhou."