It was not surprising that Rio arrived at their workplace an hour earlier than their regular shift. She needed to be early. It was conference day: a day where she should perfectly execute her job.

It was a good thing that she slept well and ate well before going. Last night was weirdly satisfying that it made her prepare well for this big day.

She carefully placed her bag on her drawer and opened her laptop. She needed to prepare her presentation. While working on it, she heard a few 'good mornings'– a sign that their unit boss arrived. He is always early, she knew that, and it was an agreed protocol to greet him. But what was strange that morning was the fuss as he closed the door of his office. Not just fuss, giggles. Well, this was another thing about their office, as far as Rio knows. Although Asano is a name you wouldn't want to hear because Boss Asano also means overtime or another workload, there is a good number of ladies who really thought he is irrefutably handsome. He and Karma. So technically, the giggle meant that–

"Good morning, Nakamura-san," she heard a familiar voice break her train of thoughts. The voice oozed sarcasm.

She turned her head to see the devilish red head friend of hers. He was holding his everyday coffee.

"Good morning, Akabane-san. How may I help you?"

He laughed. "Nah, I was just checking on you. You almost broke your neck looking at your boss' office. Tryin' to get a good look at him, aren't you?" He teased before sipping his coffee.

"What?" She reflexively replied. She didn't notice herself that she was actually looking at the closed door of his office. She was too immersed on her work and the giggles that she almost instinctively looked at his office. She recovered her self quickly, "Ah, no. I was too nervous that he arrived. I don't want anymore burden after this conference you know. This is too troublesome." She laughed rather sheepishly.

"Yeah? Not too convincing. A lot of girls were gawking when he passed by. Maybe you're one of them," Karma chuckled. Because Rio knew how to play with this guy's games, she laughed too, while still working on the finishing touches of the presentation.

"Well, maybe if I see him I might shout, 'OHMYGOD MARRYMEBOSS' out loud. This is between us, Karma, but I am Asano's number one fan." They both laughed at that.

"Really? Do it, then," Karma challenged as he confidently leaned on the wall behind Rio's table. "Hey, morning Asano! I see you've been standing there for like three minutes, sorry about that."

Rio bolted out as soon as she heard the name 'Asano' to see no one. Damn Karma with his cheap tricks again. She turned around to see Karma laughing his ass off.

"Very funny, indeed. Middle school prank," she sarcastically remarked as she returned to her work. She laughed quietly at the ridiculous joke of Karma.

"But works every—"

"Excuse me for interrupting your... good time, but Nakamura-san is needed at the conference room right now," she heard a voice so familiarly annoying specifically when you hear it inside the office.

"Morning, Asano! Looking great, huh?" She hadn't looked away from her screen yet when she heard Karma do the greetings for them. The greeting was full of Karma's trademark sarcasm.

"Morning, Akabane. I think in approximately twenty minutes your shift will start. Why not–"

"Fine, fine. You're nagging again even if we're on the same position. Nag me until you can, Boss Asano, because I'm on my way to a position much higher than ours. Good luck with your conference," Rio heard Karma chortle.

Without looking, she knew that the tension between the two can already cut her in half, now that she's between them. After what he said, Karma just threw his cup on her trash bin and left. It was just in time for Rio to completely finish her presentation and prepare her laptop. She knew that Asano was hovering over her, probably waiting, so before anything else, she greeted him.

"Good morning, boss. I'm so sorry for the delay," she said as she glanced at him just to be polite while tucking her laptop inside its case. He just nodded and walked away from her desk to the conference room. She finally stood up and followed him.

Well, the sight before her was definitely worth the fuss and giggles. It took her only a glance to know that Asano definitely overdid his look-to-impress today. His usual strawberry blonde bangs were slicked back sideways. His dark under eye circles were still there, but for some reasons it complemented his look. His face was still pale, but it looked like he had enough sleep. Compared to how haggard he looked the night before as Rio remembered, he was definitely stunning now. He looked like a celebrity. Not to mention that he also smelled like one.

Not bad, Rio thought. she suddenly remembered the 'Gakucchi' she talked to last night. Hard to believe that this celebrity-looking boss is the same person whom she dragged inside his apartment and ki– nope. No awkward thoughts for today, Rio reminded herself. Focus.

She entered the conference room with a pounding heart. She needed to concentrate. It's serious time.

It was a success. The presentation went smooth. Rio couldn't be more thankful. It was a big event to their company and it felt great for her to execute all her tasks smoothly.

Well, except for one thing. Although a success, what Rio definitely found difficult during her presentation was to overcome the troubles of Mr. Asano Gakuhou. He was a representative of one of their affiliated companies and he was indeed a monster. Always asking a lot of logical questions, roasting her over and over. It was a good thing that she could answer every thing well, but that took every ounce of her energy. She was all grateful for the son, because all the other difficult questions were answered by him. Mr. Asano probably wanted to give his son a hard time that's why he was questioning every little detail of their proposals. What topped the cake of burden was Mr. Asano's greeting after the meeting. He gave Rio that warm smile again and told her she's done a good job, and his son couldn't do anything without her as his subordinate.

But now that it was over, Rio couldn't help but just sit on her chair and rest for the whole remaining hour of her shift.

"Hey," she heard that annoying redhead again. Probably finished his work early so now he's free that's why he was loitering. She didn't bother opening her eyes.

"Akabane-kun. What is it?" She tried to keep herself composed.

"Nothing. My job's done for the day. That's why I'm looking for what." She heard the chair beside hers creak. "I know it's tiring but I've got something to request from you, Nakamura."

Upon hearing the removal of the honorific, she instantly knew that it meant something personal. She opened one eye and saw Karma, as she expected, seated on the chair next to hers. Smiling quite giddily.

"Okay, I heard the honorific removal. Karma, I swear if this is a prank," she warned emptily. Karma just shook his head.

"Seriously, this is not a prank. I want you to free your schedule this Friday night. I asked everyone the same request. You can go ask them to confirm."

"Wait, wait," she remembered that Friday night was the schedule of her and Asano's 'extended talk'. And Karma said 'everyone' which meant the whole Class 3E. She sat up straight and opened her both eyes. She was ready to listen. "Why should I free my Friday night schedule. What are you planning again?"

"Well," he began. If Rio's eyes were functioning well, she may be seeing Karma blush. "I am planning to propose to Manami this Friday. I want a party with the whole gang."

Rio couldn't believe what she heard that she had to confirm it. "What? You? Propose?!" She must've been too loud because before she knew it, Karma's palm was covering her mouth. Karma just nodded while smiling brightly that Rio had to forcibly remove his hand and gape at what he said.

"Really?" She gawked, much quieter now. She couldn't help it. It was the first marriage among her friends. She felt overjoyed and excited at the same time. "Okay! My Friday is definitely free!" She declared.

But she added, "As long as this is not a joke, Karma. I swear I'm so going to rat this out to Okuda."

Karma laughed again, "Hey as much as I joke around, this one is serious. Honestly, this is the most serious I've been in my whole life. Korosensei must be proud up there."

Suddenly Rio felt warm. Indeed, the mention of Korosensei always touches her. He must be happy that one of his shipped couples back in junior high is definitely sailing permanently soon. She smiled at the thought. She gave Karma a light punch on his arm.

"Ah! I'm jealous! I want to have a boyfriend. But hey, congratulations in advance. My Friday is definitely free for you guys and I won't rat you out," Rio said as she gave Karma a wink.

"Why won't you date Sugaya then? He's the one paired with you on that stupid bravery test, right?"

Rio laughed at his ridiculous suggestion. "Why not? Let me reconsider. If he's single then I'm good."

Karma laughed. "Too bad I heard he's too busy with his art, I doubt he has the time to put with your high maintenance British lifestyle."

"I'm not high maintenance!" Rio defended, jokingly. Karma stood up.

"Thanks, Rio. I hope everyone can attend though. Kayano even rescheduled a photoshoot for it. I'm really thankful. Gotta go now, though. Got some extensive planning to do. Wish me luck." He gave her a two finger salute as he walked away.

"Good luck. Bye!" Rio kept smiling. It was a moment when she realized that they were really getting old. That they were no longer middle school students who are worried about how they could kill a mach 20 octopus teacher. Korosensei must be really proud up there. She can almost hear his cheer. She smiled to herself.

Wait. She promised to cancel every plans she had on Friday night. That equates to telling Asano to cancel their 'meeting or whatever because she doesn't know what to call it'. She glanced at the clock. It was just in time for her end of shift, and probably Asano's too if he's not planning to work overtime. Past five means he's no longer boss Asano, but Gakucchi.

She peeked at his office. As expected, no signs of going home. She decided to give him a hint. She walked towards his office and silently opened his door.

"It's past five," she whispered loud enough for him to hear. It caught his attention and glanced at her.

Maybe she isn't used to seeing flashy guys, because Rio found it disturbing that despite the whole day of work, Asano still looked like a celebrity who has a photoshoot at six.

"Yes?" He casually answered. Rio completely went inside the office and sat on the chair in front of his table.

"I want to tell you something," Rio started. "We had to–"

"Let's not talk about that here. Work is work, right? Wait for me at the parking lot, Im just finishing this. Give me fifteen minutes. Dismissed," He said, without removing his eyes on his laptop. It was a usual scene, him being a jerk.

Without any complaints, Rio just sighed sarcastically loudly for him to hear and just went out of the office. She picked up her things and head to the parking lot as what her boss demanded.

True enough, after fifteen minutes of waiting at the parking lot, Rio saw the celebrity looking Gakucchi walked towards his car. He was looking sideways, most likely looking for her.

"Gakucchi!" She called as she rolled her windows. She already parked her car besides his.

"Can you speak quietly?" He sounded so irritated and embarrassed at her calling.

"Well, I gotta say something to you, about this Friday," she started.

"I'm listening." He leaned on his car and faced her completely.

"But before that, let me point out that you really look stunning in that hairstyle. You don't look like you're going home from work. You look like you're going to have a photoshoot," she winked at him playfully. It was fun making Asano embarrassed, and she was trying to find ways to do it. Complimenting him was worth the shot.

"Thank you. So what about Friday?" As expected of the handsome Asano Gakushuu, he's so used to compliments regarding his face. Complimenting: failed.

"Well, I had to cancel this Friday. I'm really sorry, Gakucchi."

"Everytime you say that name, it sounds like an insult. Anyway, why?" He must be really tired because he's not in the mood for the name calling or even the fact that they are 'friends' after work.

"Uhh, I don't know how to say this but," she paused. Definitely going to focus on Asano's reaction to what she's going to say next. "Karma is going to propose to Okuda this Friday, and all of us in 3E are invited."

Just when she thought he's the one to be shocked, he dropped a bomb:

"I knew that's what you're gonna tell me. About that, he also invited me."

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