Abekku || A Fruits Basket Fanfiction

Elevator of Pessimism

I feel there is only a certain amount of clicking and typing that one can take before they become insane. By 10.56 AM in the workplace, I've already reached that limit. My brain is throbbing. I need something else to do.

I look out the office window across my desk and spot a Ginkgo tree. "I'll climb you later," I whisper to myself. My co-worker, Chiyoko must've heard as she glanced in my direction with a look of confusion.

"So, Kazuki, when are you and Itsuki going to start dating?" Chiyoko asks, breaking my bored state. I push my keyboard forward and look up.

"Me? Dating Itsuki? Not happening."

"He invited you to the VIP dinner party, Kazuki. He constantly stops by to talk to you. He clearly likes you and couldn't be more obvious about that," she presses on.

"Chiyuko, Itsuki is my friend. It's not like that." I've known Itsuki since high school. He offered me a job at his father's business, which is where I am right now.

"Oh, that's a waste. If a cute, rich boy like him was making it clear that he liked me, I'd totally date him!" She lets out a sigh, and presses her hands to her cheeks. She's such a hopeless romantic.

"Even if he was that rich, he seems too cunning and cheeky for my type. Besides, I wouldn't want such a fancy life. I'm comfortable where I am right now," I say with a smile as Chiyuko gazes elsewhere as if she were ignoring my opinion.

"Get back to your work." I swat at her. "You're making me lose my focus."

Tick. Tock. 5.53 PM.

Usually I'd wait 'til the office was less crowded before making my way to an elevator. I try avoiding crowds as I would like to get home safely without any unfortunate male encounters on my journey. But today, I rush home.

I rapidly bounce my finger on the elevator button, knowing entirely well it won't get to the ground floor any quicker. A fellow employee scoots away from the corner of my eye. The door rings and I groan as it opens. Employees flood out and into the elevator, forcing me to flow into the metal box with them. I gulp, trying my best not to shift around too much as the door closes.

A man behind me loudly coughs, making me flinch. My heel moving out from under me and I slam into the shoulder of a man with blond hair in a nice suit. A loud thud and flying papers was replaced with a poof of brownish smoke.

Note to self: It is faster and more efficient to walk down a staircase than running into a cage of regret.

My eyes flinch under bright lights. I must have passed out when I transformed. That often happens to me. Something about the impact of going from a full grown woman to a small little animal knocks the wind out of me.

"Do you think she's okay? Maybe me we should call Hatori," someone says.

"No need for something so drastic, Tohru. I'm sure she'll be awake any moment," another replies.

Something moves near my nose. I sneeze and as I open my eyes I hear a puffing noise.

In front of me is a man with gray hair. I faintly recognize him from the elevator. "Do you mind?" I blurt out.

"You might want to cover up." He snickers, handing me a blanket.