I apologize in advance if Ritsu is a bit OOC in this story. Though to be fair, experiences morphed her into a different more intense person.

Anyway, enjoy.

Ritsu felt very uncomfortable at Emerald. For once, it's not her ex-boyfriend, but rather the woman who stormed in and began to argue with him. The woman wore a business suit with her jet-black hair tied back in a strict bun and had an intimidating look on her face.

Ritsu kept her head down and tried to focus on her work as the shouting match started.

Mino came up beside her with his ever-smiling face and explained what happened and how losing time between now and printing will make them lose sales because of this blunder. If she was being honest, she's on Takano's side in this argument. Not because he's her boss and her ex, but because he had better insight into how well the book would sell better than the printers. The fact that they were sold out on the first day proves him right.

"So, who is she? Part of production?" Ritsu asked Mino very quietly.

"Nope. She's Marukawa's wild horse. She's the sales-"

"My name is Yokozawa." The woman silently slid up behind them and introduced herself with a deep frown and annoyed look.

The two editors turned to stare up at the frightening woman. While Mino kept smiling, Ritsu had a look of discomfort.

"So, you heard us." Mino stated.

Yokozawa ignored Mino and stared, or rather narrowed her eyes at Ritsu, arms crossed over her chest, which Ritsu noted had a generous bust.

"Who are you? I haven't seen you here before." The woman from sales asked rather rudely.

Ritsu ignored her tone then stood up so they were eye-level, another thing she took note of was how she stood a couple inches shorter than Yokozawa.

"Yes, please forgive me. I got hired a month ago. My name is Onodera Ritsu. I'm sure I have much to learn from you, and I look forward to getting to know you." Ritsu introduced herself, staying as calm and cordial with a fellow coworker.

Yokozawa narrowed her eyes even more, "Onodera? You wouldn't happen to be the only daughter of Onodera Publishing?"

Ritsu's eyes widened.

"So you're the girl riding on her father's coattails." Yokozawa said very rudely to Ritsu.

The editors in other groups watched the interaction with shock and discomfort, "Why don't you tell her how you really feel?!"

Ritsu felt a reasonable amount of rage and annoyance at the woman. She had to fight the urge to smack the bitch with her laptop and say it was an accident. Or better yet, kick Yokozawa's shins with her titanium ankle. That'll teach the bitch for humiliating her in front of everyone.

"Just ignore her." Ritsu turned to her boss who spoke, "So what if you got a leg up?"

"I don't actually." Ritsu glared as she sat down and massaged her left leg out of habit.

"Most people in the world would love to be in your position." Takano continued, unmindful of the glare.

"Trust me, they would not." Ritsu firmly stated, remembering why she preferred books over people.

"He's right though." Hatori spoke next, his eyes closed, "There's nothing wrong with having a good background."

"That's right. Anyways, you can always try to one-up your father and make it big." Kisa tried to assure her.

"People have got to make use of every advantage they can." Mino chimed in, sitting across from Ritsu.

'Everyone's showing their support.' Ritsu felt comforted by their words and felt her earlier rage dissipate.

"Thank you. I-"

"Well..." But then Takano began then the others finished in unison, "But if you mess up, you're truly nothing but a failure."

'PISSED!' Ritsu's mood soured again.

The editors from other departments looked at her with pity, "You don't have to pour salt into the wound."

The rage Ritsu felt earlier came back stronger, and this time, she did not fight the urge at all. With a sickeningly sweet and innocent smile that rivaled Mino's, she raised her right leg from beneath her desk and poured all her anger and annoyance into a very powerful kick.

Mino's smile faded the moment something sold jammed into his knee with the force of a jackhammer, causing him to jolt and grasp his leg in pain.

Ritsu still had rage inside her before she spun in her chair very fast and kicked Kisa's chair out from under her, making the older woman yelp then fall to the ground with a solid thump. The chair fell on its side with its wheels still spinning as Kisa held her head.

"Ow, what the hell?" Kia groaned at the sudden assault as she pulled herself up.

Ritsu's leg was still extended horizontally and her innocent smile still in place. "My apologies, I tend to get involuntary muscle spasms in my right leg. It puts me at a..." She slammed her foot down with enough force to make the floor around them shudder, "...disadvantage." Ritsu tilted her head and opened her eyes to glare at them, "So please be mindful when you're near me." The warning in her tone sent chills down everyone's spine, Emerald and the surrounding departments.

Kisa shivered as she quickly retrieved her chair and sat, "Right, we'll keep that in mind. Right guys?" Kisa quickly asked her coworkers who made sounds of agreement, one of them still nursed his leg.

Ritsu stopped glaring, but that innocent threatening smile still remained, "Happy to hear that." She turned in her desk to resume her work.

Kisa glanced down at the floor and was shocked to see a half-inch footprint embedded into the spot Ritsu slammed her foot in. Kisa gulped, feeling very fearful of this woman.

Everyone on that floor made a unanimous decision not to tease Ritsu for fear of getting stomped on.

As the day wore on, so did the pain in her left leg. Or rather, phantom pain. Even though she knows her leg is gone, her brain fails to understand that the burning aches of the limb should not be present if it's no longer there.

After talking with Mutou-sensei and urging her to finish her storyboards, Ritsu used both hands to massage her lower thigh.

"Are you okay Ri-chan?" Kisa asked when she noticed how Ritsu is paying mindful attention to her left leg.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Ritsu answered with a slight groan.

"Would you like me to massage it for you? I'm very good with my hands." Kisa offered with a smile as she held up her appendages.

Ritsu immediately went on the defensive as she whipped her head in Kisa's direction and glared threateningly at her.

Kisa squeaked and scooted back in fear, "Okay, never mind, personal space, got it!"

Ritsu sighed as she removed her hands from her leg and resumed her work. Though she knew it was uncalled for and mean, she didn't want anyone to know about her amputation. It's one of the main reasons why she left her father's company and the household, she didn't want to deal with the constant worry, pity, or discomfort people show the moment they see her prosthetic leg. Even if it was involuntary for some, it truly sickened her how they treated her as either something fragile, or completely damaged. The only thing she wants right now is to be her own person and not deal with people staring at her like a freak.

Takano returned to the department, passing by Ritsu as he made his way back to his desk. After declaring his intention to make her fall in love with him again. Ritsu has made conscious effort not to be alone with him. Considering what happened that day when she finally recognized him, she didn't want to risk being trapped with him anywhere.

Ritsu vaguely listened to Takano and Hatori talk with the latter informing his boss of Yokozawa calling to ask him out for drinks tonight. Takano refused, which Hatori added that it would be better if he told Yokozawa himself.

Now this confused Ritsu, after what happened this morning, she thought it was ridiculous for that rude woman to ask the person with whom she had heated that argument to go drinking. That just didn't make sense to Ritsu.

She sighed and decided to let it go since it's none of her business. By the time 9:30 came around, Ritsu decided to leave early and just wait for Mutou-sensei's storyboards. After a brief exchange with Kisa who just got off the elevator, Ritsu was on her way down to the first floor.

When she stepped off the elevator, the first thing she heard was Takano's voice. She turned in the direction of the sound and saw him in the smoking area chatting with Yokozawa. She hid behind the wall on reflex upon seeing her ex, cursing her luck. Why did he have to stand in the place that is close to the only exit in the building? She peaked around the corner in annoyance when she saw that rude woman. She initially thought those two weren't friends after witnessing their earlier interaction.

Then she sees something she believed she never saw before, Takano laughing. It made him look younger, more approachable. He never laughed when they were together. She always wondered what it would look like for a boy as melancholy as him. To Ritsu, it's wonderful.

A sad smile came onto Ritsu's face, even if he never showed that to her, she's glad someone could bring that out of him.

Steeling herself and putting on her best neutral face, she made her way to the front door of the building, passing by her boss and the woman from sales. "Have a good evening, I'll see you tomorrow." She greeted, remembering her manners as the doors slid open and she left the building.

Takano and Yokozawa watched her leave before the Chief Editor quickly snuffed out his cigarette. "I'm going, too." He needs to catch up with her before she gets away.

Yokozawa didn't look pleased as she still held her smoke, "So when will you go out with me?" She asked, not happy with how her best friend has been ignoring her lately.

"I've got all these punk authors, you see." Takano answered then met Yokozawa's eyes, "I'll keep it in mind for when the proofs are done."

Yokozawa frowned, "Liar. You never kept a promise like that." She stated as she watched Takano leave the building.

"I did keep it once." Takano responded as he watched Ritsu walk further away from him.

"Keep the 3rd free at all costs. Hey, I'll come over tonight!" Yokozawa called out as Takano moved to follow Ritsu.

"Don't come over!" Takano yelled back, he can't have his best friend interfering with his plan with Ritsu.

Ritsu listened to them with a frown, unable to understand how those two could sound like best pals when they were at each other's throat before.

"Got that, Masamune?"

Ritsu stopped upon hearing that woman call him by his given name. Only those who are familiar with each other in such an intimate manner can do that. She clenched her jaw and lowered her head, squashing down any ounce of jealousy that wanted to come forth. 'It's none of my business.' She repeated to herself while holding the strap of her bag very tightly then resumed walking. 'It's got nothing to do with me.'

If Ritsu wasn't already amputated, she'd give her left foot to sit down in this overcrowded train car. This entire day has been one discomfort after another, but the cherry on top just so happened to be squished up against her side.

Ritsu frowned in mild discomfort her poor stump was in. "This just has not been my day. Dammit." She cursed as she glared up at her boss/neighbor being so close to her. "Do you have to keep following me?"

"Do I need your permission to go home?" Takano shot back, reminding her that they live next door to each other.

"I know we live in the same building, but you really shouldn't reject your girlfriend's invitation when she's asking you out for drinks." Ritsu stated as she narrowed her eyes up at him.

"Huh, what are you talking about? Yokozawa's not my girlfriend."

"Really, my mistake. Still, it's very rude of you to turn her down like that." Ritsu stated as she leaned against the window to take some weight off her leg.

"Would you be jealous if she is?" Takano asked leaning in a bit closer.

Ritsu blushed and turned her face away from him, "No way. But I am jealous of her height. Fucking heels." She muttered to herself, though Takano heard her clearly, finding the way she pouts rather adorable.

"It's too hot in here. Too crowded." Takano commented, trying to not fall into an awkward silence.

"Really, I feel fine." Ritsu said as she stared out the window at the tunnel walls. 'Stop talking to me.'

"How's managing the author?" Takano asked, hurt how she refuses to look at him.

"Huh?"

"I'm talking about Mutou-sensei." Takano clarified, watching her intently.

"Did something happen to her?" Ritsu asked, keeping her eyes on anything other than him.

Having enough with beating around the bush, Takano leaned in loser to his ex. "Why are you avoiding me?"

Ritsu felt her stomach drop, and quickly denied, "What are you talking about? I'm not avoiding you at all."

"Don't lie to me. It's obvious you make sure to never be alone with me." Takano stated after spending an entire day of losing every chance of having alone time with his ex.

"I think you're just imagining that." Ritsu said rather bluntly, "Why would I need to avoid you?"

Takano leaned in closer "I knew it. So it is on your mind."

Ritsu blushed upon feeling Takano's breath on her face and finally turned to him, "What are you talking about?"

Just as she finished that sentence, the train car made a sharp turn that threw her off balance and made her stumble into Takano who steadied her, holding her close to his person.

Ritsu blushed upon realizing her head was nestled against his chest. She quickly righted herself into the correct position and looked down with a meek and shy expression.

"Are you okay?" Takano asked Ritsu.

"Yes. Excuse me." Ritsu turned away until her back faced Takano, berating herself for not standing properly. Discomfort burned through her stump as she struggled to power through the pain.

She jumped slightly when she caught not only her reflection in the window, but Takano's. His eyes watching her intently. She averted her green eyes from his, wanting so badly to escape her precarious position.

By a miracle, Ritsu finally made it to her apartment. She groaned in exhaustion as she removed her shoes, mildly considering moving again.

She stepped further into her home with the intention to have a bath then go to bed. Oh, how badly she wants to soak on hot water and relieve all the aches within her body.

She switched on the light and saw something on her fax machine. 'The storyboard from Mutou-sensei. I didn't think they'd get it done by today. Wow, she really pushed through for me.' Ritsu thought to herself as she picked up the papers and examined them.

Deciding to postpone her bath, she tossed her scarf and coat onto the sofa then took out the pen and began to proofread the storyboards to send it back.

By the time midnight came around, Ritsu was finished. Though there were a lot of corrections, she didn't have the confidence to say her judgement is correct or not. She then got the idea to call Hatori and ask for his input. However, just as she was about to dial his number, she remembered him telling her that all storyboards must be shown to Takano as it is a hard rule.

Ritsu groaned then shut her phone, "I really don't wanna see him right now."

Ritsu contemplated using the fax machine, but that would just be a waste of paper, and her neighbor would not appreciate that either. Releasing a long-resigned sigh, she decided to just bite the bullet and hope this doesn't kill her. Flipping her phone open, she dialed her boss' number, it rang for a second before she heard his voice, "Hello?"

"Hi Takano-san, I'm sorry for disturbing you, but I finished Mutou-sensei's storyboard and was wondering if it's alright if I'd bring this over to you right now. But if you want to wait until work tomorrow-"

"Come on over and we'll look over it, I've got time." Takano answered then hung up.

Ritsu sighed then gathered the papers before putting on her shoes and leaving her apartment. She stood in front of her neighbor's door and knocked. She didn't have to wait long before Takano answered.

"Come in. I'll look at it right away." Takano said as he invited her inside.

Ritsu half-considered just giving him the storyboard and escaping back into her apartment, but she didn't want him to think she's doing everything half-assed. She entered the apartment and removed her shoes before the door, looking down to make sure her prosthetic is covered by her sock and pants.

She sat in the same spot on the couch as last time, wanting so badly to go home. "Sorry for disturbing you so late."

"It's fine, better to get this done asap before the deadline." Takano stated as his glasses-covered eyes scanned the storyboard, "I half-expected you to use your fax machine to send it to me. Glad you didn't."

"Stop reading my mind." Ritsu glared at him and glanced around his apartment. Hardly anything changed since the last time she was here.

After Takano finished reading through the draft, they went over her corrections, Ritsu pointing out the heartthrob scene and how there were too many joke panels. Takano advised her to leave only a couple in to let the author have their fun and cut off the unnecessary ones. Ritsu listened intently as they proofread the content together and made multiple adjustments to the story.

Another hour passed before they finally finished.

Ritsu picked up the draft as Takano removed his glasses and placed them on the coffee table. "We ended up making a lot of changes. This will make it so much easier to read." She commented as Takano got up.

"Now you just have to run it over with the author. Don't think they'll accept all these changes." Takano warned her as he poured himself more coffee.

"Was my way of looking at the storyboard okay?" Ritsu asked him since she is still new and unsure of herself.

"Yes, you have all the basics down. But you're quite the honor student." Takano commented, impressed at how well she picks up on editing methods and applying them to her work.

"Huh?"

"Well, right now, the most important thing is for you to get some experience." Takano added as he came over with an extra mug for Ritsu.

'What does he mean by 'honor student'? Did I do something wrong?' Ritsu mused to herself as she gathered her things.

"Would you like something to drink?" Takano offered, hoping to get her to stay a little longer. Even though it was late, he enjoyed teaching her and hearing her insights into each scene. Her serious and concentrated expression is rather cute with how hard she focuses.

"No thanks. I'm fine. I'll just be going now. I'm going to give the author a call." She said as she stood up from her seat and walked away with her things in hand.

"It's after one in the morning." Takano stated, watching her back, something he's become very familiar with lately.

"Then I'll go over it one more time by myself." Ritsu announced, wanting to get out of the apartment right now. "I'm sorry for keeping you so late."

Takano set his mug down on the coffee table.

"Hey. Why are you avoiding me?" His question made Ritsu pause just a few feet in front of the door.

"I'm not avoiding you at all." Ritsu said, her voice hollow as she proceeded to put her shoes back on, making doubly sure her left foot is secure in its shoe.

"Are you in love with me?" Takano's sudden question finally made her turn around with an annoyed look.

"Why are you even asking me that?" Ritsu answered with her own question in a rather cold tone.

"Hmph, I know what this is about, you're trying to get back at me for what I did to you ten years ago. String me along, make me fall in love, break my heart, and brag to your friends." Ritsu words surprised Takano who took a step forward and exclaim, "No, that is not what this is about." He never wants her to think that way about him.

"Oh, please, just save it and spare us the drama. It's a waste of time and energy. Whatever you're hoping for, is not gonna happen, we are adults, we grow up, we move on, end of story. Working with you is hell enough for me. Satisfied? Goodnight then." Ritsu finished then gave him the cold shoulder and made her way to the door.

A hand appeared by her head just as her fingers touched the handle. She turned to see Takano towering over her with an intense look on his face. "If you're not in love with me, then stop avoiding my eyes. Look me in the eyes tell me the truth. Are you in love with me?"

Ritsu felt sweat break out all over her body, he's too close to her, it's suffocating. Clenching her teeth tightly throughout the discomfort, she looked up at him with an empty and hollow look, "I'm not." She maintained eye contact for what felt like an hour, "There, are you satisfied?"

"Hardly." Takano's other hand came up caught drop of perspiration that trickled down her cheek, "People who lie tend to sweat a bit more," He smirked, "and their heart rate increases." He said as his fingers touched her pulse and felt the erratic thumps underneath her skin.

CRUNCH!

Takano stumbled back, holding his cojones before he dropped onto his ass. He groaned in pain as he clenched teeth, he cursed in agony as steam came off Ritsu's right leg from the force of her kick.

"I warned you before about my muscle spasms. You got no one but yourself to blame for that." Ritsu stated, feeling proud of herself as she looked down at her boss.

"Ono-dera..." Takano groaned in pain and glared at Ritsu who brushed the imaginary dust off her clothes then touched the door handle.

"Have a good night, Takano-san." Ritsu cordially said as she opened the door, only to come face-to-face with Yokozawa who was surprised to see a woman in her best friend's apartment.

"What are you doing here?" Yokozawa asked after regaining her composure.

"We were checking over the storyboard. But we're done, and I'm going home. Hey, your girlfriend's here." Ritsu told Takano who slowly got to his feet, still glaring at her.

"She's not my girlfriend." Takano stated, but Ritsu ignored him and walked around Yokozawa who stared after her.

"Have a good night you two." Ritsu said as she returned to her apartment.

After shutting the door behind her, she leaned her back against it and sighed, "Damnit."

She kicked off her shoes again and made her way back into her home. She sat on the couch with the storyboard clutched in her hands and decided to go over it one more time. The phone lying on her beside her rang, she glanced at the caller ID and ignored it. She didn't want to talk to him anymore tonight. She massaged her left leg just above her knee. The pains have increased exponentially from all the running around she did today. With a groan, she stood up and went into her bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet, pulling out her evening pills prescribed to her as pain medication, antidepressants, and muscle relaxers. She's required to take these every day to manage her aches and help her through the day. She forgot to take them this morning due to the shock of Takano announcing his intentions.

After swallowing the pills, she returned to her living room and resumed her work while waiting for the medication to take effect. The entire day was just painful for her.

Takano kept calling, but it always goes straight to voicemail after ringing a few more times. Deciding to give up for now, he shut the phone off and stared at the wall separating him and Ritsu. Oh, how he desperately wants to tear it down. Yokozawa already went home after dropping off some food. He wasn't in the mood for eating, that powerful kick really turned his stomach, now he understands how Mino felt.

Takano sighed as he plopped himself back onto the couch and tried to figure out his next move with Ritsu. She believes he's trying to get revenge on her. That's not what he wants at all. He wants to show her that it wasn't a fantasy, that what they had was real, and they can again is real also. He can admit when he came on too strong earlier, and a couple days before. But he can't help it. She's the woman he loves so much and can't forget no matter hard he tries. He wants to start over with her, let her know that he forgives her. And he sure as heck can't let anything stand in the way.

Takano's eyes widened upon remembering something, "Shit, Yokozawa." If she figures out who Ritsu is, it could destroy any chance he has. He can't let that happen.