"So… um… what now? Do we go?" Ichigo asked, glancing at Suzu.
She was already walking toward the elevator, hands shoved deep in her pant pockets. "Do we have a choice? Boss's orders."
They stepped into the empty elevator together. Ichigo hit the button for the ground floor.
"Anyway," he said casually, leaning against the wall, "if you were planning to drive to Fuji Inc., don't forget your car is still parked at the bar."
Suzu's shoulders twitched. Just once.
"…I know that," she muttered, eyes fixed on the floor numbers ticking down. "That's why we're taking a taxi to the bar first, picking up my car, then heading to Fuji Inc."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes, a slow grin forming. "Oh yeah? Alright. If you say so."
The elevator dinged. They stepped out into the morning sun and flagged down a taxi. Suzu slid into the back seat first, staring out the window the moment the door closed. Her usual lazy half-smile was gone.
Ichigo watched her for a few seconds.
"What's the matter?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Nothing much," she sighed, breath fogging the glass. "I just really don't like that place."
Ichigo blinked. "Huh? But drank to your heart's content the other day.—"
"Not the bar, moron." She turned just enough for him to catch the sharp look in her eyes. "I meant Fuji Inc."
The taxi rolled forward, city streets blurring past the window.
"So..... what are we having for lunch" Ichigo asked no expression
"I thought you would ask why do i not like that place!!" Suzu shot a angry glare at him.
"oh sorry i thought you did want to share" Ichigo said
"Aren't you going to ask now" Suzu with still angry expression.
"yea yea... so why do you noy like that place"
She sighed. "oh nothing. its just a lame story not worth listening"
A vein popped on his forehead "HUH!! Then why the hell did you made it so much dramatic"
The taxi rolled to a stop in front of the still-shuttered bar. The driver glanced at them through the rear-view mirror with the weary expression of a man who had seen too many morning-afters.
"Sir, it's not my place to say," he began in a fatherly tone, "but no matter how bad the fight, a couple shouldn't start drinking this early."
"We are not a couple...a-and we are not drinking, we are jus...w-why am i even explaining this to you... take you pay and just leave."
He practically shoved the fare into the driver's hand and scrambled out. Suzu followed, lips curved in the tiniest, most infuriating smile.
Suzu and Ichigo got of the taxi, Suzu smiled softly and walked to the parking lot leaving him behind she waved her hand without looking back and said in slightly louder tone. "You wait here. i will bring the car"
Ichigo stood on the empty sidewalk like a lost puppy. A minute later, a familiar matte-black coupe growled out of the parking lot. Suzu rolled the passenger window down.
"Get in."
Ichigo froze. "Nuh-uhh I am not falling for this… you don't have a license. I'm not dying today."
Suzu rolled her eyes. "I have the license, dummy. I was messing with you last night. Get in."
Relief flooded him. He slid into the passenger seat. "You should've said that sooner—"
The engine roared to life. Suzu floored it the instant his seatbelt clicked.
Suzu started to drive picking up the speed. "I don't have it"
Ichigo's soul left his body for the second time that morning. "YOU LYING WITCH!"
The entire twenty-minute drive was spent with Ichigo white-knuckling the door handle.
Eventually the car screeched to a halt in front of Fuji Inc.'s gleaming headquarters.
"Here we are the Fuji Inc" Ichigo got out of the car along with Suzu.
"What are we waiting for we are already 20 min late. lets go"
Suzu was already walking. "Quit whining, let's go."
They crossed the marble lobby. Halfway to the elevators, Ichigo suddenly stopped.
"Hey, you go ahead. I need the restroom real quick."
"Fine," Suzu sighed, fishing out another cigarette. "Don't get lost."
He darted into the ground-floor men's room, splashed water on his face, and came out five minutes later looking only slightly less traumatized.
Then reality punched him in the gut.
"…I don't know which floor we're supposed to go to. And I never even got her number."
He groaned, dragging a hand through his hair, when a woman in a sharp navy suit walked past. Something caught his eye; her black stocking had a long, visible tear near the calf.
He jogged after her without thinking.
"Excuse me, miss! Your stocking—"
She turned.
"Oh, it's Ichinose Ichigo," she said smoothly, following his gaze to her leg. A light laugh. "Thank you for telling me. How embarrassing."
Ichigo blinked, . "Huh? You know me?"
She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow, amused.
"Well, only a fool wouldn't know who Ichinose Ichigo is in our line of work—a four-time National Hackathon winner, who competed as a one-man team and outshined every other group, four consecutive years during his college days."
Ichigo's straighten up a little "Well… it sure feels good to be recognized by a beautiful woman."
She smiled, the kind of smile that could close contracts and break hearts in the same breath.
"Then let me officially welcome you to Fuji Inc., Mr.Ichinose. Are you here for Interview, You don't have to, i would gladly give you the Project Director post."
"Oh no no. I am not here for Job interview, I have already joined Hoshiyama Inc. I am here to fix out the problem regarding a program." Ichigo said
"You are already employed, though luck it seems. I should have scouted you during your college days, How very sad" She said with sigh.
She extended a hand.
"Second Director of the Systems Division, Fujiwara Miori. I'll be the one you're fixing things for today."
Ichigo took her handshake. "Nice to meet you...Umm you see i kinda got lost"
she smiled warmly. "Oh dear no problem, I'll show you the way" she asked me to follow her to the lift. "And please don't be so formal with me, I am just same age as you."
"Sure. if you say so" Ichigo said as they both got into the elevator.
When the lift closed "Can you please take these files in hand for a sec"
"Yeah no problem, always happy to help a lady" Ichigo said with a smile on his face but wondered why she asked him to hold onto files
As she gave the files to Ichigo she removed her heel's and started to remove the tore Stocking the way she was doing it was too erotic for Ichigo to handle, He immediately looked away. "i-i am sorry, i didn't see anything"
She smiled softly. "oh no worries" when she removed them she wore back the heels and folded her stockings. Her white silky legs were too shiny reflecting the light direct to his eyes
As the doors opened i saw Suzu arguing with middle aged man in suit
"I didn't knew you came with Suzu here" She said with a smirk
"She is my senior after all" Ichigo replied with hint of excitement.