𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨. [HangexFemReader]

Chapter 30: The Confession

"What is it?" (Y/N) responded, keeping her tone steady. "I'm a little busy right now."

"Busy doing what? Moping around?" Hange asked, eyeing her room. "What is up with your behavior lately? You've been acting really...different."

"What do you mean? I've just been focused on being a team leader and getting the project done. Has my work not been satisfactory?" (Y/N) stood up, looking Hange directly in the eyes. Her jealousy from earlier was causing her tone to come out more brash and direct, and she couldn't help but feel annoyed towards them. She knew they had to right to be with whoever they wanted but...jealousy was a powerful thing.

"Your work has been great, but you haven't," Hange sighed, frustrated. "Are you doing alright? Is something bothering you...or did I do something you're upset about?"

(Y/N) felt a prick of guilt. Hange thought she was mad at them?

"And that whole encounter with Moblit back there," Hange frowned. "That was a little rude. He was just trying to make us some food, you didn't have to storm away like that."

Again, with Moblit. "I didn't want to eat his food, okay? You can leave now. I'll also be moving out tomorrow; I've found a place."

That was a lie, but she'd figure out the details later. The apartment she had found required a hefty down payment and she hadn't been able to save up that much yet. She'd be able to get her own place in about a month or two but not immediately.

Hange blinked. "Already? (Y/N), what is going on? You know you can talk to me if something is bothering you—"

"Nothing is bothering me, Hange!" (Y/N) insisted. Her annoyance was only growing, and this time she was annoyed at herself. Why did she have to fall for a person like Hange? Someone who valued work more, someone whose heart probably already belonged to another...she was having trouble just looking at them. The yearning she felt at that moment was consuming and all she wanted....all she wanted was to kiss them. This is literally the worst timing, she chastised her brain. Why couldn't she control her stupid thoughts of desire?

"Well, obviously, something is," Hange scoffed. They walked closer and gripped her tightly by the shoulders, forcing her body to face them. "And you're going to tell me and then we're going to go downstairs and eat the marinara pasta that Moblit is cooking right now."

"Nothing. Is. Wrong," (Y/N) ducked her head, unable to meet Hange's prying gaze.

"Come on, we're friends, (Y/N)—"

"We're not friends," (Y/N) snapped.

Hange stiffened, staring down at her with surprise. "What?"

"We're not friends, Hange. We're just coworkers who are working on a project together," (Y/N) practically whispered. She knew she was making a mistake. Pushing Hange away like this would only make things worse. But she couldn't remain friends with them. Seeing them with others was painful. It would be better if they returned to a relationship where Hange hated her. She would rather deal with Hange's hate rather than their kindness. At least then, she'd know for a fact that it would be impossible to date them. The feeble hope she held in her heart was crushing her, making her yearn for a future she knew was impossible.

"But you said..." Hange drifted off. "Was this all another one of your ploys? Another method to get me to relinquish the patent?"

"What?" (Y/N) startled. "No!"

"You brought up wanting to be friends, you brought up wanting to be on good terms," Hange argued. "But ever since you've been given the lead engineer position, you've been acting so cold and distant. Were you just trying to be friends to get me to sympathize with you? To get me to feel guilty?"