Please be courteous and don't comment if you don't like a ship. :)
And here's the finale! I'm sure I'm not the only one who was a little crushed by the beginning of the special, but I think the ending definitely left us on a high note, and I'm still shipping Haida and Retsuko harder than ever!
"Ok. Calm down. You can do this."
Retsuko stands at one of the bathroom sinks, her hands on either side of rim and breathing heavily. She'd had a very bad day, and even venting her lungs out in death metal in the back stall hadn't done much to abate her anger.
Retsuko shudders and looks into the mirror, and was surprised by how weary she looked.
"At the count of three...I'll be calm and ready to go back to work," she tells herself. Just got to tough it out.
There was only about thirty minutes until the day was finally over, and with strong resolve she leaves the bathroom, putting on her happy face to take on the last stretch.
She exits, and walks straight into someone's backside.
"Retsuko?" Haida exclaims, and he spins around to face her.
"Oh, Haida!" she yells, putting her hand over her heart. "You startled me. What are you doing here?"
She worries that perhaps the sounds of her voice had carried out into the hall.
"I-I just thought you might not be feeling well," Haida says, looking concerned. "You've been in there for a while. The boss was nosing around, looking for you..." He blushes a little.
"Probably wants to dump some more work on me," Retsuko sighs. "But thanks, Haida. I'm ok, now. Just a little stressed out, is all. You know how it is."
She starts walking back, and Haida comes off behind her, seeming anxious.
"Uh, well, is there anything I can do to help, Retsuko?" He asks, testing the waters carefully.
Many months had passed since Haida had revealed his feelings to Retsuko, but the rejection still hurt.
But then, just recently, Haida and Retsuko had spent the evening together on Christmas Eve, one of the most magical nights of the year. At first, the night seemed like it was going to lonely and miserable. But then they'd come across each other, almost like fate.
And for Haida, this had been a new ray of hope.
"I don't know," Retsuko said, and she walks into the office. "I usually have yoga to help me get it out, but I don't have it today. Maybe we can grab drinks with Fenneko."
She'd been hooked on Instagram lately, but even that was starting to lose its appeal for her. She'd become pretty popular almost overnight, but she'd been neglecting her real friends, just a little.
Haida nods, liking the idea. "Yeah!"
The day was finally over, and the office was busy with everyone hurrying to grab their things and get out before rush hour.
"Out for drinks?" Fenneko asks, a smile on her lips at Retsuko's question. "I think I'm busy tonight. Why don't you go, just the two of you? I'll take a raincheck." She gives Haida an encouraging look.
"W-well!" Haida exclaims nervously, turning at Retsuko.
Retsuko smiles. "I guess it's just us two."
Haida can't hide his excitement. "Oh...well, then...I'll show you to my car."
He and Retsuko take the elevator and are soon out in the parking lot. The skyline was a fantastic orange color, as the sun starts to set.
Retsuko had never been to the employee's parking lot before, as she always takes the train and walks the rest of the way to work. Haida leads her to a vintage looking red car and opens the door for her, smiling.
"I- I'm sorry if it's a mess," he says, not used to visitors. "I actually had a motorcycle before, but since the pneumonia incident, I traded it in."
Retsuko takes a seat and examines the interior as Haida sits beside her. It was distressed and scuffed, but it was pretty unremarkable, apart from the wide arrangement of CDs stacked in a case and scattered around the back, along with a black, leather jacket.
"It's fine," Retsuko says. "I didn't know you liked music so much..." She looks at one of the CDs. It was an unfamiliar band, but it had a gritty, punk theme to it.
Haida carefully pulls out of the lot and onto the road and he chuckles. "Hey...You want to take a listen?"
He presses a button on his car's dashboard and loud music with a pounding bassline and riffs begins to play. Retsuko feels her blood firing up as the music intensifies. It isn't metal...but it's powerful. She closes her eyes and smiles, bobbing her head up and down.
After a few moments, Haida turnsdown the music and turns to her, grinning. "I just had an idea."
"What is it?" Retsuko asks, interested at the excited expression on his face.
"W-well, I...and tell me if you don't want to, it's up to you, Retsuko...why don't we go the karaoke bar?" Haida suggests.
Retsuko doesn't respond for a minute, the idea playing out in her head. She loves karaoke. It was her one secret, her one way of taking the stress away.
But apart from her close friends Gori and Washimi, nobody knew that within her raged a death metal beast.
Would Haida...?
"Ok, it was a bad idea," Haida apologizes in response to her silence. "I'm sorry I suggested it!"
"No, no, it's...fine..." Retsuko says.
In fact, the idea was interesting to her. Not just to kill off some stress, but, an eager curiosity.
How would Haida react?...Would he still want to be friends?...
She had to know.
"Let's do it," Retsuko says, making herself smile.
Haida looks surprised. "Woah, really? Well...ok, then! Whatever you say, Retsuko!"
oooOOOOooo
They arrived at the Karaoke Bar and Retsuko leads him down the familiar hallway to register.
"It's nice to see you again," says the attendant.
Retsuko blushes a little when Haida gives her a questioning look.
"You come here often?" he asks as they were led to their private room.
"N-no, not exactly!" Retsuko replies, not sure exactly why she was so unsettled by the question.
Haida had gathered his courage and revealed his true feelings to Retsuko honestly. Retsuko wanted to be upfront and honest with him in the same way.
"It's just something I do every once in a while, I guess," she says, and they sit across from each other. They both ordered some beer and a plate of food to share, and talked for a while.
Sometime later, Haida stands up and starts.
"Let me see...this is a favorite of mine," Haida says, grinning from the big gulp of alcohol he'd just taken. He punches the number into the karaoke machine and the room filled with energetic music, highlighted by guitar and fast drumming.
Haida stands up on the couch and began shouting out the lyrics into the microphone, his eyes shut tight.
"Hey, hey, hey,
That's some hypocrisy,
Who do you think you are, looking down on me!?"
A break in the music starts with a wild guitar solo, and Haida begins to air play, his fingers flying on the invisible strings, and rocking his head up and down.
Finally, the song comes to its end, and the hyena breaths hard into the microphone, his face red with either embarrassment or drunkenness, Retsuko wasn't sure.
"Hehe..." he laughs quietly, placing the mic back on the table.
Retsuko stares in awe, a smile growing on her face, and then applauded loudly.
"That was amazing Haida!" she cheers.
She'd had no idea her friend was so talented, and so intense!
"W-well, I was in a band in college," Haida says, grinning at the praise and blushing. "I still play bass in my free time. Music is...really important to me. It frees your emotions, you know?" He chuckles. "That sounds stupid, I'm sorry."
He hands the mic to Retsuko. "Your turn."
Frees your emotions, Retsuko repeats in her mind.
She couldn't agree more.
She had been hesitating before, but now after seeing Haida's performance, she knows she can do it.
With a deep inhale, Retsuko takes the microphone. "Could you punch in 9091-89?" She asks, mentally preparing herself.
"Sure."
Immediately a heavy bassline thunders through the room, drums getting louder and faster. Retsuko opens her mouth, and out comes a deep, gravelly howl that was completely different from her usual sweet voice.
"I'M SO SICK OF THIS SHIT
DAY IN, DAY OUT!
WORK MYSELF INTO MY GRAVE
IS THAT WHAT LIFE'S ABOUT!?"
Haida's eyes were wide as he watches Retsuko continue, her face twisting into a fanged grimace and her tongue hanging out of her mouth. Her claws were extended and held a heavy grip on the microphone, and she thrashes wildly.
"THERE'S NO END TO ALL THIS STRIFE!
FUCK YOU ALL! SHITTY BOSS, SHITTY LIFE!"
The music ends suddenly, and left a ringing in Haida's ears. Retsuko's face slowly returns to normal, breathing harshly into the mic. She faces away from Haida, heart pounding in her chest.
This was the moment of truth...
"Retsuko!" Haida shouts.
Retsuko flinches, turning around, tears starting to well in her eyes.
She knew it'd been too much.
"I'm sorry, I..."
"That was amazing!" Haida yells and he put his hand on Retsuko's shoulder, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've never seen anything like that before! Is it...it's, um, heavy metal?"
"Death metal," Retsuko corrects, a slight smile starting to spread on her face.
"That was the coolest thing I've ever seen!" Haida said, nodding. "To think...someone as cute and sweet as you could..." He blushes heavily, looking towards the corner of the room.
"Well...this is the real me," Retsuko says quietly.
"It's probably not what you expected."
Haida laughs. "It exceeds my every expectation!" he said, taking Retsuko's hand and lowering the microphone to the table. "If this is the real you, then..." He pauses and goes a bright red. "I love it."
"Haida..." Retsuko starts to blush a little herself.
Ordinarily, Haida would have trouble saying these words. Just looking at Retsuko filled him with tension- like the floor had been stripped out from beneath him- but it was such a warm, wonderful feeling.
But now, in these circumstances, and thanks to a few drinks, Haida had some extra nerve to say what he'd so been longing to say.
"Retsuko, it doesn't matter if you're an everyday accountant...or a death metal rocker," Haida chuckles. "I care for you on a deeper level than that."
Retsuko's eyes shine, her face feels warm and her heartbeat is starting to go faster. She leans in closer, Haida's hand still holding hers.
Suddenly the phone hanging on the wall begins to ring, making both of them jump. They didn't realize it, but their hour was almost up.
"T-that was fast," Haida says, backing up a little shyly. "Well...I guess..." His face is bright red.
"Heh."
Retsuko is quite flustered herself, strange feelings she hadn't had since her first few times with Resasuke were now coming over her. She'd never seen him like this before, in this new light. Haida was...pretty amazing.
"You can go ahead up front and I'll pay at the desk," Haida says, looking through his pockets for his wallet.
"How about we split the bill," Retsuko offers, putting her hand on his and smiling. "Since we both got to watch a performance."
Haida grins with his sharp teeth. "You sure? I guess that sounds like a good idea."
Standing up, he sways a little and they approach the attendant, cash in hand.
"Oh, man," Haida breathes in the cool night air, a minute later when they walk into the street.
"Are you ok, Haida?" Retsuko asks. "You might have had too much to drink." She knows he has a habit of drinking a bit too much, and didn't want to put him under pressure to drive.
She giggles. "Why don't we take the train to my place? We can rest up there if you want."
"Your place?" Haida sweats. This was new territory. "A...are you sure? I'm not a burden?"
"It's no problem!" Retsuko says. In truth, she really does want to spend more time with Haida.
Together they go to the station, dressed in their winter jackets. It's cold outside, and as they breathe, they can see little puffs of air.
The train station was thankfully empty, and within a few minutes, an announcement comes over the intercom foretelling the oncoming train.
The words echo in Retsuko's ears and Haida casts her a nervous toothy grin as the train pulls up. He didn't have that much experience with public transportation.
They step into the car and take a seat together. There were only a few other passengers, a complete change compared to Retsuko's morning trip.
The train started pulling along the tracks, and they sat together in silence at first.
Haida chuckles and speaks up. "This seems like a real hassle. I don't know how you do it everyday."
Retsuko smiles gently. "Just taking it one day at a time."
Then she laughs. "I can keep calm on the outside, but on the inside, trust me, I'm full of...full of rage!"
Haida's eyes are gentle. "I never would have imagined in all this world I could ever meet someone like you."
Retsuko blushes deeply at his words, and slowly extends her hand into Haida's.
BUMP!
The train jerks and an announcement came on. "Next stop."
"Ohh! That's us!" Reteuko says, blushing. Holding his hand, she helps steady as the train pulled to a stop, she is an expert at walking on the moving vehicle by this point.
They emerge into the cool night air.
"Feeling better?" Retsuko asks, heart beating in her chest. She looks up at Haida, eyes bright.
"I think I'm feeling...better," Haida says, a big grin on his face.
"My place is just about a five minute walk from the station," Retsuko tells him, quite aware that they're still loosely holding hands, only partly to keep Haida balanced.
"Are you sure it's ok?" Haida hesiitates when they get to her apartment building. "I don't want to impose, Retsuko."
"Just make yourself at home!" Retsuko tells him, opening the door. "Come on in."
Haida steps in, looking around at her living room. "So this is how you live," He says, excited. He sees her stereo and takes a look at her collection of CDs.
"You've got some awesome music here," he says. "Rock, alternative...and no surprise, lots of metal."
He digs to the bottom. "You'll have to let me hear more of this sometime!"
He sits back on the couch to take it all in.
"Play some of your bass for me and it's a deal," Retsuko says happily, joining him on the couch.
"Maybe we can collaborate some time," Haida suggests with a chuckle.
There is a pause.
"Retsuko... I know I told you before, but..." He blushes again. "I really like you."
"I like you too, Haida," she replies.
They aren't empty words. She means them.
Haida's tail begins to wag back and forth and Retsuko scoots in a little closer, right beside him.
Haida slowly lowers and put his arms on her shoulders, she leans up and her hands wrap around his neck, and then...their lips meet.
It was a feeling like neither of them had felt before.
A spark lights between them, and their passions ignite. Haida feels his loins burning at the long needed touch of Retsuko, and he tingles. Retsuko starts out careful and unsure, but a newfound energy overpowered her, not too unlike her the rage that she so often encountered. She pulls him in tighter, roughly, at this new desire.
He tastes like beer, but it is a wonderful taste, Their hearts hammer in time, against each other's chests, as they continue, lost in their own world.
Finally, they pull apart, breathing heavily and looking into each other's eyes.
"Retsuko..." Haida says softly. "All these years..."
"Oh Haida..." Retsuko gasps. "If only I'd known...I wouldn't have..."
She suddenly feels a rush of guilt and a sting in her eye, wiping away a tear.
"Retsuko?" asks Haida, worried.
"I'm just glad...that I have you in my life," Retsuko says, smiling. "And I'm sorry I took you for granted for so long. I..."
She quiets and then leans in for another kiss, more gentle this time.
They part again, and Haida has a goofy grin on his face, face blushing deep red.
"It...it's getting late." He says, hating himself for saying the words. "I shouldn't overstay my welcome..."
"Why don't you spend the night?" Retsuko suggests suddenly.
Haida hesitates. "I am still kind of tipsy-"
"Of course," Retsuko says and grins. "The couch folds out into a bed. You're welcome to it. I'll bring you a blanket and extra pillow right after I change."
Haida grins too. "Sounds good."
A feel of contentment in her heart, Retsuko goes to her room and changes into her comfortable t-shirt and shorts, and goes to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
What a night...
She looks in the mirror.
The smile on her face is brighter than it has ever been.
She stepps out to check on Haida, and sees the hyena had collapsed, exhausted lying on the couch, snoring softly and arm dangling to the floor.
Retsuko smiles and turns off the light before grabbing a plush blanket and putting it over him snugly
"Good night, Haida." She kisses him gently, and turned in for the night.