A/N: I was just skimming a fanfic recently, when my eyes landed on the words "silence equals assent" and then the male character continues to do things without the female character's consent. NO. JUST NO. Only yes means yes for consent. If somebody is silent, even if they never say no, it still means they do not give consent unless they explicitly say yes. And if they decide mid-way that they want to retract their decision, then that's okay. Ugh, just had to get that out. It made me so uncomfortable.
Anyways...enjoy and leave a review!
The clock hour hand had passed the number six fifty minutes, but Misaki wasn't aware. Her mind was too concentrated on putting together the minutes from the meeting earlier. Officially, her work hours ended at five, but it wasn't unusual for Misaki to stay later in the office to finish up work or start a new project early. It was one of the things that drove Shintani crazy, though she never knew why.
"Work ends at five, Misaki!" He once whined. "I never get to play with you anymore."
Misaki just shook her head, unfazed by Shintani's puppy eyes. "Sorry, Shintani, but we're 27 now. I don't have time to 'play' as you call it. You know I just paid off my family's debt, but it's time I save up a little nest egg for emergencies."
Though the family debt had indeed been paid, interest and all, her mother had worn herself out in trying to keep up with the bills and her health was failing. Misaki didn't like it, but she had to prepare some money in case her mother ended up in the hospital. The last bill had come just when Misaki revealed the Igarashi's company's corruptness and lost income to pay off such a large bill.
Shintani soon learned enough not to wait for her after work.
A knock on her office door broke Misaki's focus on her work. Through the glass wall, Misaki saw Usui give a little wave. Misaki let him in. "Mr. Usui. Is there anything I can help you with?" His meeting with Satsuki-san must have ran long for him to be staying at the company so late.
"Just dropping off one of your reports. It's very well-organized and analyzed," Usui complimented.
"Oh, thank you."
"I hear you're analyzing why our previous advertising strategy failed?"
Misaki's brows furrowed. "Yes, although there are parts I don't understand. Such as why a strategy would be taken in the first place when there are so many evident flaws." Then it occurred to her that it might be best for her to call her client's previous endeavors flawed.
"I see you're quite detailed in your work." Usui chuckled, not offended at all. He leaned against her doorway. Misaki blinked. Did all men leaning against doorways seem like supermodels? She had a sudden memory of Usui pressed up against her, his warmth spreading to her. "I can help you fill in any information that you lack."
For a while, they concentrated on analyzing the Walkers' previous policies and strategies. Though she was usually good at staying on task, Misaki could feel Usui's gaze on her now and then. Every time she met his eyes, his emerald orbs would sparkle and the corner of his lips would curl up. Then she would flush and bury her face in some manila folder full of documents she wasn't really paying attention to.
The clock hand soon reached half past eight by the time Usui and she were done. Misaki stretched her sore back muscles before yawning. "Oops, sorry about that. I didn't mean to keep you for this long."
He gave her a lopsided grin. "No need to apologize. This will save us both work in the long run, won't it? Besides, it is my company demanding such laborious work." He looked at the clock. "Would you like a ride home?"
Misaki blinked. "Oh, there's no need and I wouldn't want to be a bother. My apartment isn't too far from here."
"Then it's even less than a bother. Besides, it's nighttime. You might be safer with a ride home." Usui cocked his head to one side. "Although, knowing how strong you are, perhaps I'd be safer with you," he joked.
Misaki was conflicted. She could save some time walking and she was frankly a little tired. And besides, compliments never hurt. Most men were scared of her abnormal strength. Usui must have caught her wavering expression. "Please take my offer as gratitude for all the hard work you're doing for our company."
He was looking at her with those eyes again. Misaki shivered unexpectedly as a delightful sensation spread throughout her body.
Takumi was unexpectedly pleased when Ayuzawa finally accepted his offer of a ride. Perhaps it was because he was seeing her in a new light every time he saw her. The first meeting he had been surprised by her courage (or foolishness) and display of strength. Then it had been the way her beauty had struck him. And now it had been the dedication she put into the work. Ayuzawa was no simple beauty. She was quite interesting, and interesting was what gave his miserable life a little more meaning. Who knew what other surprises awaited him?
Such surprises included the small grumble that came from his passenger seat. Takumi couldn't help but grin. "Do you normally skip dinner?"
Ayuzawa made a face. "My family and Shintani often tell me that I should focus less on work and take care of myself."
"Not bad advice. Who's Shintani?" He casually asked. It would not do to be attracted to someone who already had a lover, even one as interesting as Ayuzawa. He was not interested in stealing.
"Oh, my apartment mate. He usually takes care of the cooking, so he gets annoyed at times when I don't get back on time for dinner."
Ah, so just a male apartment mate. Takumi's shoulders relaxed a little. "Is there anything you'd like to eat, Ayuzawa?"
"Me?" Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. "You're already doing me a favor by giving me a ride home. Thank you very much, but there's no need."
He tried to ask politely again, but she only refused. "Another time, then." It wouldn't do to push her too much. Still, it was the first time he had ever been rejected by a woman. Takumi barely kept a grin off of his face. Well, there was always a first time for everything. That was partially why the Ayuzawa woman was so intriguing to him.
Before long they had arrived at her apartment building. She wasn't kidding about her place being so close to her work, just a short less than ten minute drive.
"I'll see you, Ayuzawa."
He let his words curl around her like a caress. Her amber eyes widened briefly, and he could tell her breath had caught in her throat. She fled quickly out of the car, but not before casting a last glance at him. Those bloody beautiful cheeks were rosy again. Never had he met such a sensitive woman before.
"You came back so late again, Misaki-chan," Shintani whined. "How are you ever going to take care of your health?"
"I'm fine, Shintani," Misaki said wryly. She took out a plate of leftovers from the microwave and hurriedly dug in.
"Seriously, Misaki, you work so hard and put overtime for all the same pay." Shintani sat down across the table from her and pouted.
Misaki reached over and ruffled his brown hair playfully. He really was like a puppy sometimes. "It has to be done, or else my livelihood will be in danger again."
She was suddenly reminded of Usui. Why, she wasn't sure. Usui contrasted Shintani in as much ways as possible, even if she didn't know too much about the blond man. Shintani was like a puppy that followed her everywhere while Usui was more of a german shepherd or doberman pinscher, regal and graceful. Or perhaps Usui was like a prince straight out of an European fairty tale. And Shintani? She would just leave it at that.
Physically, the two men were both tall in physique but considering what she had felt from the elevator incident, Usui definitely kept himself fit. Still she didn't know too much about Usui to compare them further. But those looks he had given her. Why?
Wait. Why was she thinking so much about Usui?
"Misaki-chan, your face is turning red. Is the curry that spicy? I could make less spicy dishes for you," Shintani said.
Misaki waved him off. "I-it's alright. Just choked a little."
"Look at you, working so hard and being so hungry that you're rushing your food. I'll get you a cup of water," he fussed.
Takumi flipped through the manila folder, picking out a photograph of Ayuzawa Misaki. He had asked for every single piece of information that he could get on her.
Grew up in a single family with her mother and younger sister. Excellent academic credentials. Sports medals and achievements here and there. Worked at Igarashi Co. for quite some years before moving to the much smaller Hyoudo Co. No significant other currently or in the past.
A virgin most likely. Takumi frowned. All of his lovers had been experienced. He wasn't sure how to deal with someone lacking in that department. With that piece of info, he had nearly given up on perhaps persuading Ayuzawa to be a new Sub. Until he came across this particular picture.
It had been taken at one of Hyoudo Aoi's famous dress-up parties. He had seen some pictures of those parties before, where every party had a theme like pirates or period costumes. This picture seemed to have been taken during a maid-cafe theme.
Ayuzawa Misaki was perched on a stool, her legs tucked neatly. Her maid costume was fairly scandalous for someone like her. A corset pushed her breasts up, nice and rounded. The skirt barely covered her most important areas, and netted stockings only accentuated her long legs. It was the expression caught by the camera that intrigued him the most. Her amber eyes were soft towards the lens. She had a small, shy smile, her lips rouged rose pink. He briefly wondered what it would look like with her lips parted around his hard and very willing cock. Though she was feisty and independent on the outside, he was pretty sure that somewhere underneath those layers was a submissive part of her, and he aimed to capture that part.
A/N: Oof, and how wrong Takumi is...