Aggretsuko Drabbles

Tying a Tie

Haida was good in a lot of things. He knew how to solve accounting errors and fix computers. He could play electric guitar. He can even tell jokes but what he can't do, is tie a tie. He grumbled to himself when he walked into the building. He had been struggling with his red tie since he got off the train. But no matter what he did, his tie always became undone or crooked. It looked like a toddler's tie. He glanced at his male coworkers and their own ties. His ear lowered as he shuffled quickly into the hallway until he made it to the kitchen.

"Come on, you stupid tie." Haida said to himself, his fingers fumbling around the knot. He cursed when it fell apart in between his fingers. He tossed the tie on table in frustration. He never had a father to teach him how to tie a proper knot. He usually had his tie in a knot before he goes to work. He never had to do it since it was already done, but Haida tugged a bit too hard and the knot became undone. He couldn't let his coworkers see him without a tie or let them know of his problem. He'll get mocked for months. He let out a heavy sigh and sat down on a chair, burying his face in his paws in shame. Twenty one years old and he can't even tie a simple tie.

"Oh Good morning Haida!" The sweet voice of Retsuko filled his ears, making him look up at her. She walked over to the stove and began to boil a pot of water.

"Hey Retsuko..." he muttered softly. Retsuko ears twitched when she heard the dull tone in Haida's voice. She turned to him in concern.

"Are you alright?" She stepped up to him and placed a paw on his head. He blushed from her touch. "Your head is warm, are you sick?" She asked, pulling her paw back.

"Well...no, it's just-" he bit his lower lip. He couldn't tell Retsuko. He didn't want her to know that he can't tie a tie. It was laughable. "It's nothing." He said, giving her a smile.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yeah, seeing you always makes me feel better." He replied. He laughed when Retsuko's face turned red. She playfully slapped his arm.

"Oh you always tease me!" She said but couldn't help herself when she laughed along. She stopped when she saw Haida's red tie. "Don't forget to wear this!" She smiles proudly as she wrapped the tie around his collar. Haida froze when she felt Retsuko's soft paws around his collar. She was preoccupied with adjusting it than to notice his internal struggle. He felt her paws move the tie a bit and saw her begin to make a knot. She pushed the finished knot upward and let the finished tie fall against his chest.

"There you go. I'm not very good with tying ties." She said as she took a step back. "I hope you don't mind."

Haida's paw slowly touched the knot of the tie as he looked at Retsuko in shock.

"Who taught you how to do this?" He asked.

"My father." Retsuko said non-chantalty. The teapot let out a mighty whistle, making her turn off the flame of the stove. She grabbed a dish rag and removed the pot from the burner. "He told me how. But I was never really good at it. I could only make one knot." She admitted with a soft chuckle. Haida smiled at her when he stood up. Retsuko carefully filled a cup for herself, not noticing the hyena sneaking up behind her. Once she put down the pot, she felt something warm hit against her cheek. It was soft and gentle. Like a nunge. Haida pulled his lips back and whispered.

"Thank you, Retsuko." And walked out. Retsuko cheeks burned red throughout the day.