Chapter 14 – Free

On a hot summer afternoon, Momoko walked back to her desk after running a quick errand to the Budgets division. Wearing her best blouse and neatly pressed suit, Momoko, like her fellow interns, had come dressed for their big pitch presentation. Despite the jitters that had been dogging her all morning, the foremost thought on the purple-haired young woman's mind as she sat back down at her desk wasn't about her impending presentation.

"Did you guys know Kagami-san quit yesterday? Asahina-san told me just now when I went to check the budget numbers!" she said hushedly, though the wide-eyed expression on her face betrayed her astonishment at the news.

Kyusuke looked up from his computer and scrunched his brows. "Really? I can't say I'd miss her, but that was really sudden. Hasn't she been with the company since… what? Forever?"

"I know, right?" Momoko whispered back, glancing around to make sure no one was overhearing her before she continued, "Asahina-san said Kaze-san was transferred to the company's manufacturing facility in Saitama, and Kagami-san was going to be transferred to the Nagoya office. Kaze-san accepted the transfer, but Kagami-san refused and decided to quit instead. I don't think Nagoya is so bad, since my mom's side of the family is from there, but for someone who's in their forties and has lived in Tokyo their whole life, I can see that being too big of a change to handle."

Next to them, Lady pretended to be focused on her email even as she heaved an internal sigh of relief. Thinking back to the conversation she had with her father a week earlier, Lady recalled how she was on pins and needles as her father took a seat across from her.

"It's regarding the matter from last week. Kei, myself, and the rest of the board have come to a decision," Mamoru started to say. "But before that, I first want to talk to you about Kei's investigation into the photo that Kagami-san shared."

Lady blinked in surprise at the shift in topic. Despite this, she listened attentively as Mamoru continued, "After looking into Kagami-san's background a bit more, Kei found that her mother, Ran Kagami,* lives in the building right next to the burlesque club. My speculation is that the elderly Kagami took the picture and shared it with her daughter, not knowing that the people in the photo happened to be Kamagi-san's coworkers. No matter how Kagami-san obtained the photo originally, it does not absolve her and Kaze-san for what they've done, and the board has agreed that disciplinary action is needed in this case."

Narrowing his eyes, Mamoru said pointedly, "To intentionally slander a colleague's reputation is unacceptable. That said, labor laws being what they are,* it would be difficult to prove their actions have caused the company direct financial harm, and thus we cannot justify their dismissal. The board felt the best course of action is to transfer Kaze-san to Saitama, while Kagami-san will be assigned to Nagoya. By breaking up their clique it will keep them from enabling each other in the workplace and hopefully give them an opportunity to start fresh."

"But… why?"

Mamoru started at Lady's question as the young woman sat with her hands balled up in her lap. "What has Helios done to them? I know Kagami-san doesn't seem to like me for some reason… but what will she gain by destroying his reputation?"

"I can't say for sure…" Mamoru began, his voice pensive, "but Kei had looked over her performance evaluations over the years, and while she always completes her work in a timely fashion, her pridefulness and inability to work well with others meant she always scored poorly on leadership and teamwork. As a result, she'd been passed up for promotion to division chief despite having been with the company for over twenty years."

Back to Lady, the dark-haired man said, "Without hearing directly from Kagami-san, we'll never know what was going through her mind. But based on the circumstances, my guess is that, as someone who'd been passed up for promotion for so long, she came to resent the company. When you started working here, she expressed her displeasure with the company through you. However, when Fukushima-kun stood up for you, I think she transferred her spite onto him."

Seeing the crestfallen look on his daughter's face, Mamoru knew without asking what Lady was feeling. Clearing his throat to draw her eyes back to him, he entreated, "Don't feel bad, Chibi-Usa-chan. You've done nothing to warrant this and you can't help what other people think and feel."

"I know, Papa…" Lady acknowledged with a sigh. Looking up, she drew her lips back before addressing the elephant in the room. "What about Helios and me? Is something going to happen to him?"

"About that…" Mamoru paused, unlacing his hands. Lady watched with bated breath as Mamoru straightened his back and leaned forward to hold her gaze. "We will not be taking any disciplinary action against Fukushima-kun. We have received a copy of the incident report from the police, and though your names are not mentioned, everything aligns with what the two of you have told me. The board has asked that we make a memo regarding your relationship with him, but as your internship at the company will end soon, they see no need to bring this up to HR."

"So, that means they're really okay with it, then?" his daughter asked hopefully.

"Yes. In fact, Yuu's exact words were, 'if it doesn't affect the company's bottom line, it's none of my business!'" Mamoru chuckled. "I'll talk to Fukushima-kun tomorrow when he comes in, but I wanted to let you know now since I know you must be worried."

Watching the visible relief wash over Lady, Mamoru looked lovingly at his daughter. "I still owe him my gratitude for protecting you. He is a good, honest person, and I couldn't be happier that he is the one your heart has chosen."

Seeing her father's grateful expression, a smile also found its way onto Lady's face.

Though that conversation had occurred days earlier, in the present, the reassurance her father gave her then brought another smile to Lady's lips.

Lost in thought, she looked up in surprise when Kyusuke and Momoko stood up, laptops in hand.

"We should head over to the auditorium. That way we'll have plenty of time to do the AV checks," Kyusuke suggested.

"Oh! Right!" Lady glanced at her watch and saw that it was only an hour before their presentation. "Let's get going!"

Decamping from their desks for the auditorium, the interns spent much of the next half hour setting up the electronics and running through the presentation. Once everything was plugged in and tested, the trio sat down in the front row and huddled around Momoko's computer as they verbally walked through their talk.

"We'll start with Lady giving the introduction and background," Momoko's finger tapped rapidly through the first couple of slides before coming to a stop on the first slide outlining their idea. "And here I'll take over and discuss the inspiration and application for our glucose-monitor app…"

She turned to Kyusuke, who nodded along as she skipped a few more slides down. "And Kyusuke will finish with discussing our ideas for how to market the product to customers."

Leaning back into his seat, Kyusuke took a deep breath. For a long moment none of them spoke until, in a soft, reflective voice, Kyusuke looked at the two girls and said, "You guys ready for this? We've been preparing for this moment for the past three months. It feels kind of crazy that it's finally happening!"

"Yeah… but to be honest, I'm most looking forward to this being over," Momoko laughed nervously. "Before this, the only time I've been in front of an audience was in my high school drama club play."

"It'll be okay, Momo!" Lady patted her friend on the shoulder. "You're so energetic and earnest, I'm sure everyone will see that today!"

"I hope so…" Momoko exhaled loudly. "Though I don't feel so energetic right now with all these butterflies in my stomach…"

Wanting to offer her friends more reassurance, Lady's words were interrupted by the sound of the auditorium door opening as people began trickling in.

Seeing that their audience had started to arrive, the interns turned and offered polite smiles and nods as the trickle of attendees grew from one or two people to larger groups of five or more. Soon, the two hundred seats in the once empty auditorium began to fill up.

Watching the many faces behind her, Lady felt butterflies beginning to stir in her stomach as well. Taking several deep breaths and releasing them slowly, Lady had managed to repeat the exercise a half dozen times before a hushed whisper in her ear broke her concentration.

"Hey, Lady, is that Kei Kobudera-san?" Momoko's voice made the pink-haired intern turn around. Following her friend's gaze, she saw Kei, along with Yuu, the company's Chief Marketing Officer, walk through the auditorium door.

"Yeah, that's him. Behind him is Yuu Sakurazaki-san … Ah, Sanjouin-san and Masuo-san are here too!"* Lady said as people in the audience bowed and nodded in greeting to the group of men.

"That's the Chief Technology Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, right?" Kyusuke wondered at the sight of a man with wavy brunette hair standing in front of a blond with short cropped hair. Swallowing nervously, the usually cheeky intern said with a quiver in his voice, "I thought the C-level executives sitting in on this was just something people told us to get us to take this project seriously. I didn't think they'd actually show up! Oh man, If I screw this up in front of them, I'll never get a job offer here!"

"Don't worry, Kyusuke! I've known all of them since I was a baby. They're a lot nicer than they look…" Lady said, trying to cheer up her friend when a familiar figure walked in.

Lady locked eyes with Mamoru, who gave his daughter a small wave. At this, Lady pushed a smile to her lips despite the sudden surge of her heart rate. Just as the presence of the executive team had sent her friends' jitters into overdrive, her father's presence made her previously lidded cauldron of nervousness boil over.

What will Papa think of my presentation? After everything that's happened lately, I have to make sure I'm able to impress him… she rued, clenching and unclenching her fingers around the phone in her hand.

Preoccupied by her secret worries and the loud thumping of her heart in her chest, Lady didn't notice the second figure walking in after Mamoru. She nearly shot out of her seat when the cell phone in her hand buzzed.

Turning the device around, she saw a line of text that read, "Don't worry, Maiden. You'll be fine"

Lady whipped her head around, and sure enough, at the top of the auditorium was Helios. Gone was the face mask that he'd worn for the past two weeks, and she could see the faint smile directed at her on his lips.

Feeling her heart beating rapidly, but for an entirely different reason than it was a minute ago, Lady watched as his eyes looked back down at the phone in his hand, his thumb moving across the screen. Realizing he was writing another message, Lady looked down at her phone, and sure enough, a split second later, a second message appeared.

"I'm cheering for you! Do your best!"

Though the missive was brief, each syllable seemed to lift Lady from the sinking feeling that had been dragging her down. As she inhaled, all the butterflies fluttering inside her caught and rode her breath, dispersing when she exhaled. Tilting her head back up, Lady's lips curved into a wide grin and she gave her love a discrete nod of acknowledgment.

Seeing that she had received his message, Helios—with a small, lingering smile on his face—walked down the aisle and took a seat next to Mamoru. With the auditorium now nearly full, Momoko glanced at the clock on the wall, and with a collective nod of agreement, the three interns rose from their seats, straightened their suits, and stepped onto the stage. Overhead the lights dimmed, and for a moment Lady felt like she was at the burlesque club as the faces in the audience faded away. It occurred to her then, that standing in front of an audience to pitch an idea was, in some ways, not so dissimilar from her performances in the club. Though there wouldn't be any catchy music or dancing, she was here to draw in the audience's attention, and through her performance, sell them on a concept.

Let's put on a show then! Lady declared to herself as she accepted the mic from Morino while Momoko and Kyusuke went to start the presentation.

Walking forward, shoulders squared, Lady looked around the auditorium and said in a clear voice, "Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for coming to our presentation today!"

"And that is all for today," Helios said and closed his notebook.

Sitting across from him in Mamoru's spacious office, the raven-haired president nodded and capped his pen. "Good. I'm glad to see progress with our submission to Health Canada is coming along nicely. Since it's Friday already, we can email the documents to Anita first thing on Monday."

"Yes, Mr. President," Helios nodded and began to collect the paperwork he'd presented to Mamoru to sign. As he shuffled the pile on the desk, Mamoru's voice stilled his hands.

"Since today is the interns' last day, Tsukino-san says she and the other interns are planning a nomikai after work. Are you going as well?"

"Ah," Helios dithered. Shuffling the already neat stack of paper absently, he answered diplomatically, "Momohara-san invited me… but I declined. The celebration is to recognize the interns' achievements and hard work, to welcome Momohara-san and Sarashina-san on-board as full-time employees, and to bid Tsukino-san farewell. It was organized primarily by and for the junior staff members. As a senior staff member, I would be intruding on their celebration…"

Across from him, Mamoru nodded faintly. Thinking the president agreed with him, Helios was surprised when the older man said, "But Fukushima-kun, you are still young yourself. After all, you're only four years older than Lady."

Helios blinked, startled to hear his supervisor refer to Lady by her given name in the office. But Mamoru continued to smile kindly at him. Closing his eyes briefly, the CEO clasped his hands together and continued, "I know you'll watch over her, no matter where you are."

Opening his eyes, Mamoru's cool, blue eyes met Helios's amber ones. "You've already proven that once before, and I hope you will continue to support her in the future, even after her time at Chiba Medical has come to an end."

Mamoru's earnest request made Helios look down, abashed. Recalling the day the president had called him into his office to discuss his relationship with Lady, Helios had entered the room expecting a reprimand. Instead, once the door closed behind them, Mamoru turned and bowed to him.

"You have my sincerest gratitude for protecting my child, Fukushima-kun. Thank you," Mamoru had said, leaving Helios at a loss for what to do or say until the older man straightened his back and they each took a seat across the desk from one another. The president had then laid out the recommendations by the board. Shocked by how unperturbed the president was about the matter, Helios had nodded along, managing only monosyllabic responses to questions.

At the end of that conversation, Mamoru had asked if Helios had anything he'd like to ask him. Rallying his courage, the young man ventured tentatively, "Mr. President… are you… are you really all right with La-I mean, with Tsukino-san and I seeing each other? If word gets out, the company's reputation…"

"…Will be fine," Mamoru answered reassuringly. " Your role as my assistant was what brought you and Lady together in the first place, and though it may add an extra wrinkle to your relationship, I do not think your love for her—and hers for you—is anything to be ashamed of. That being said, there will be those who like to point and gossip, but you are a smart and responsible individual, Fukushima-kun, and my daughter is too. Hold your heads high and do not feel as though you have something to hide. As long as the two of you continue to love and support each other, I am confident you will be able to handle anything the world may throw at you."

Back in the present, Helios, his face flushed just as it was then, nodded.

"Very well… I'll let Momohara-san know that I'll be coming to the nomikai. Hopefully it won't be too much trouble for her…"

"I'm sure it will be fine. Things have a way of working out in the end," Mamoru chuckled lightly as Helios finally rose from his seat.

Turning to leave, Helios stopped once again when Mamoru cleared his throat. "Oh, and Fukushima-kun?"

"Yes, sir?" Helios turned and found Mamoru with a hand raised to his lips.

Glancing off to the side for a moment, Mamoru removed his hand and Helios was perplexed by the deeply sheepish expression on the older man's face. "I'd appreciate it if you could walk Lady home after the party. But if you, um, happen to stay the night, just… uh, be gentle?"

Helios's brows drew together, confused, before the meaning behind Mamoru's stumbling words finally clicked. Feeling blood rush into his suddenly burning cheeks, Helios bowed deeply and stammered, "Yes, sir! I-I mean, I will definitely look after her, Mr. President!"

Across from him, Mamoru nodded silently, his own face also growing pink-tinged, before Helios hastily retreated from the office.

Staggering back into the room next door, Helios finally breathed a long sigh. Looking up at the ceiling, he closed his eyes, willing the heat in his face to dissipate, before pulling out his phone and opening the LINE chat with "Maiden".

"I'll be coming to the nomikai tonight. I'll let Momohara-san know later"

While waiting for a reply, Helios sat back down at his desk. By the time he glanced at his phone again, Lady's message was waiting for him.

"Great! Momo said you were busy. Change of plans?"

Though his heart was still racing, Helios couldn't help but smile.

"Yes. A change for the better"

Later that night, after many rounds of toasts and raucous laughter, the party at last came to an end. Lifting the noren curtain, Helios and Lady, followed by the rest of their colleagues, walked out onto the street. With everyone still smiling and giggling, the group was reluctant to leave and loitered outside the izakaya, jackets in hand, as the balmy summer air filled with their vivacious voices.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Lady! I'm going to lose my ramen lunch buddy!" Momoko whined, giving her friend a bear hug.

"Don't worry, if you ever want ramen, just call me and I'll come! I'm never going to say no to food!" Lady answered with a hearty laugh. "When I become a CEO and have my own company, I'll hire you guys and we can have lunch together whenever we want!"

Kyusuke sniggered. "How very bold of you! Headhunting for another organization is against company policy, you know!"

"Ha! But I'm no longer working for Chiba Medical! So it doesn't apply to me" Lady wagged her finger triumphantly.

At this, the group laughed again. With that serving as the bookend to the evening, members of their party waved their goodbyes and staggered off jauntily into the night. Lady, her friends, and Helios stayed behind for a little while longer before they too bid their farewells.

"Keep us updated on how school's going! If you ever want to meet up, just text us and let us know!" Momoko shouted as Lady and Helios turned toward their train station.

"I will, see you, Momo, Kyusuke!" Lady waved her arms energetically.

"I'll see you next week as well. Have a good weekend," Helios nodded politely, and received two brisk bows in return.

"You too, Fukushima-san! Good night!"

Waving, Momoko watched as Lady and Helios turned and walked down the street. Next to her, Kyusuke studied the pair, before tilting his head thoughtfully to the side.

"Say, Momo, do you think there's something between Lady and Fukushima-san?"

Momo's eyes flitted to him. Feigning ignorance, she asked, "What do you mean?"

Kyusuke twisted his lips. Softly, even though Lady was out of earshot, he said, "They're always smiling at each other, and Lady's always looking at him when he's around… It makes me wonder if they're dating or something… don't you think so?"

Abashed, Momoko touched her index finger to her lips. "To be honest, I've been thinking the same thing for a while now! But I didn't want to ask Lady, since it's such an awkward question," she said as her eyes sought Lady and Helios's distant silhouettes. Even from afar, the closeness between them was plain to see as they strolled side-by-side, arms nearly touching.

"Now that her internship is over, I can ask her the next time I see her. But even though Fukushima-san is her father's assistant, I really hope they are seeing each other. They're both such sweet, considerate people. I think they'd be a great match for one another!" Momoko beamed wholeheartedly.

Smiling his assent, Kyusuke followed Momoko as she turned her heels towards home. Walking along behind her, Kyusuke looked up at the twinkling night sky. Letting out a soft huff, he smirked.

"Hmp, if they are together, I just hope they don't forget to send us an invitation to their wedding sometime down the line!"

The rhythmic clack of the train punctuated the carriage like a steady heartbeat. Though the sky was dark, light drifted in and out of the window next to Helios in the empty carriage. The only other passenger beside him was Lady, who sat with her head resting peacefully on his shoulder.

As the train pulled out of the station before Helios's stop, he looked down at Lady, whose eyes were closed and his hand reached for hers.

"We're almost at our stop, Lady," he said softly.

"Mmm…" Lady's eyes winked and she yawned.

Thinking she was getting ready to stand, Helios started to reach for his satchel, but a light tug from Lady's hand on his arm made him look back to her.

"Come to my place tonight," she whispered in his ear.

Wondering if maybe Lady was drunk again, Helios looked down at her. Though there was a dusting of pink on her cheek, her eyes were clear and earnest.

"Would that be okay? What if the guard sees us—" he began to say, but Lady shook her head.

"It's fine." Smiling, her fingers laced through his hand. "As of now, we're no longer coworkers. And now that Papa has things settled with the board, we're free to be together outside the office. We don't have to refer to each other only as 'Tsukino-san' and 'Fukushima-san' in public anymore."

Helios's eyes widened briefly before he, too, smiled. "What if you come back to Chiba Medical and take over as CEO in a few years?" he asked teasingly, his thumb languidly rubbing the back of Lady's hand.

Lady grinned broadly. "If I do come back, I'll have to steal you from Papa, and have you be my assistant instead!" she declared before leaning over and planting a quick kiss on his cheek.

Helios chuckled as they sat leaning against each other until the train arrived at Nishi-waseda station. From there, they strolled, hand-in-hand, the rest of the way to Lady's apartment.

"Come in," Lady said as she unlocked the door and Helios stepped into an apartment completely unlike his small, humble abode. The living room, as well as what he could see of the bedroom, had floor-to-ceiling windows offering an unobstructed view of Tokyo. Tucked up against the window next to the couch was a dress form. On the other side of the room was a drafting table, which Helios immediately realized must be where Lady did her costume designing work.

"Here you go!" Lady's voice brought Helios's eyes back to his girlfriend as she placed a pair of house slippers in front of him.

"Oh, thank you!" He bent down, and whilst he took off his shoes, Lady put down her bag next to the coffee table before turning towards the bedroom.

"I'm going to go get changed. There's soda and water in the fridge. Please help yourself. I'll be out in just a minute!"

Nodding, Helios took off his suit jacket and placed it across the sofa's armrest. He perused the furnishings in the room, briefly skimming the pile of fashion and design reference books Lady had left piled up on the coffee table. His curiosity satisfied, Helios's eyes circled back to the panoramic view from the living room window.

"The view here is breathtaking," he stated, half to himself.

"It is, but you kind of forget about it after a while," Lady replied from inside her bedroom, her voice punctuated by the shuffling sound of fabric.

Watching his reflection on the tinted glass, Helios's eyes traced the countless dots of white, yellow, and red city lights as well as the faint twinkling points of starlight sewn into the velvet night sky.

"I don't think I would ever get tired of seeing this, though…" he began to say when a flash of movement from behind indicated Lady's presence. Turning around, Helios's eyes grew wide and his breath hitched.

Gone were Lady's conservative business clothes. In their place was a black string bikini and matching bralette made of lace so thin that Helios felt his cheeks grow hot when he realized he could make out Lady's pert, dark nipples behind the see-through fabric. A thin, black garter belt held up a pair of ebony stockings covering Lady's long legs, while her otherwise bare shoulders were clad in a tulle robe lined with fuzzy faux fur.

Grinning devilishly at him, Lady's hand swirled the end of the belt that she had purposefully left untied. Seeing her boyfriend stare dumbly at her, she could no longer hold back the laughter bubbling up behind her smile.

"I was hoping to surprise you, but I didn't think I'd literally leave you speechless!"

Walking up to her lover, she wrapped her arms around his waist and he drew an arm across the small of her back.

"I was just about to say, I don't think I'll ever get tired of the view," his eyes ran up and down Lady's figure and he brought her hand to his lips. "You look stunning, Maiden."

"And you, sir…you're looking a bit overdressed." Lady purred.

Slipping her fingers from Helios's hand, she caressed his warm cheek before tracing the edge of his jaw, down the pulse of his neck. Taking pleasure in the shudder her touch sent down his spine, her hand continued past his shirt collar as two fingers threaded their way through the loop of his tie.

Tugging lightly on the tie, she drew him towards her until their eyes closed and their lips touched. Moaning softly into each other's mouths, Lady soaked up the sensation of Helios's hands as they stroked her back and bottom, the added friction from the tulle fabric adding to the already electrifying sensation grazing her skin.

When they finally parted to gasp for breath, Lady pressed her cheek to his. "What do you say we amend that situation, hmm?" she breathed huskily into his ear.

Feeling her breath, hot and searing against his skin, Helios swallowed a light moan. Sheepishly, he said quietly, "You know… someone once asked me to treat you gently…"

Lady drew back, arching an eyebrow, but her quizzical look turned into an impish one when he continued, "…But I think I should be the one to ask that of you, Maiden."

The corners of Lady's lips curled upward. Tugging him towards the bedroom by his tie, she cooed, "Hmm, I'll consider it…"

With the bedroom floor littered by haphazardly shed pieces of clothing, Lady—her hair buns having long since come undone—laid cradled in Helios's arm under the covers of her bed. Though her eyes were heavy with sleep and the physical exertion from their love-making, she smiled when the dappled citylights coming through the windows reflected off the small crystal bell on her nightstand caught her eyes.

Shifting her focus to the figure laying beside her, Lady reached up and gently stroked her lover's face. Helios's amber eyes flickered open and he responded with a matching smile at the sight of the pink-haired woman in his arms.

"Say, Helios?" Lady said quietly.

"Hmm?" Helios hummed, his rumpled locks interlaced with Lady's tousled bangs as they laid side-by-side.

"I just realized… even though we'd been together for almost two months now, we haven't gone on our first date yet."

"No, we haven't, have we?" His hand lazily rubbing Lady's shoulder, Helios smiled at the woman nestled against his bare chest. "Is there any place you'd like to visit?"

Pushing herself up slightly, Lady kissed the tip of his nose. "You choose. There's still a month left before school starts. We can even go on a trip somewhere, if you'd like."

His eyes half-lidded, Helios thought about this for a moment before he suggested, "How about Fujikawaguchiko? The lavender fields there are in bloom during this season, and…" Helios paused and sought Lady's eyes. "…I've already told my sisters I'd be back for the Obon holiday. If you're free then, I'd like to introduce you to them, and show you the place where I grew up."

Taken by surprise at first, Lady's eyes smiled back. "I'd love that."

Breathing in a content sigh, she tucked her head under Helios's chin, her hand resting on his waist. No longer able to hold off the pull of sleep weighing down her eyes, Lady mumbled, "Today was wonderful… I hope we'll have many more days like this together."

"As do I, Maiden…" Helios tilted his head down to lightly kiss the top of Lady's head as he drew her closer to him.

Closing his eyes against the pin-points of light outside the tall windows, Helios allowed himself to drift off to sleep, accompanied by the steady pulse of Lady's heart against his palm.

…Today, and for as long as we are together.

Fin

Author's Notes

*Ran is a Japanese given name, with common meanings being "blue" or "orchid". However, the word "ran" can also mean "disorder," "wild," or "chaotic". Since Nehellenia (and her expy here, Kagami) are canonically offshoots of Chaos, I thought it would be fitting for Kagami's mother to be named after Chaos.

*Japanese labor laws are very protective of workers, and it's incredibly hard to fire someone unless there's hard proof that the employee's actions have negatively affected the business. For interpersonal issues, a tactic used by some companies is to assign the problem employee to a different location or a different shift. If the employee is unwilling to agree to the rearrangement, management will repeatedly pressure the employee until they either agree or quit.

*The name Sanjouin (expy of Nephrite) is based on the alias Nephrite took in the original 90's anime. The name Masuo (expy of Jadeite) is based on the actor Jun Masuo, who played Jadeite in the live-action PGSM.

Thanks to Lin_Lamont for all her help and feedback on this story!