Murder, She Raged

Chapter One

It was early autumn and things had finally started settling down at work.

Retsuko has gone through a long path of fluctuating ups and downs that had culminated in the breakup with her short term boyfriend, Resasuke.

But it was for the better.

The relationship had been nothing more than a charade, one Retsuko had ended up pouring her whole self into only to find it gave her nothing back.

She always gave, but she never got.

But now, she was finally appreciated what she had some more.

Haida, for one.

Her friend was due out of the hospital in a few days after his bout with pneumonia, and she couldn't wait to see him.

He'd always been a good friend to her, but things had changed when he gathered his courage to confess his long enduring feelings to Retsuko.

Her answer had been blunt.

"I just don't feel the same way about you."

It had been a few weeks since, and with Haida returning to work soon, Retsuko was anxious awaiting his discharge and return to work. She wanted to stay friends, and she hoped her decision had done nothing to damage that friendship.

Already, she'd damaged so many bonds in the last year.

Puko. Director Ton. Resasuke.

She couldn't bear to cross another.

"Hey, Retsuko."

Fenneko's voice interrupted her thoughts, and Retsuko looked up from the spreadsheet in her hands.

Up front, Director Ton was speaking, his usual morning lecture about "teamwork" and "how everyone's job was important". Empty words, and ones Retsuko chose to tune out.

"Calendar!" Ton suddenly shouted, almost like he had read her thoughts and turning to look at her. "Where's my tea?!"

"C-coming up, sir!" Retsuko said, quickly getting out of her chair.

So she was on tea duty today. Again.

She was pretty sure it was Kabae's turn, but what was the use in bringing it up?

Defeated look on her face, Retsuko headed in to the back room to start heating the tea up. She'd done it so many times, it was like muscle memory and needed no thought.

Back outside, Ton was continuing the morning announcements, and some minutes later, she had his tea on the tray, scalding hot, and walked it over to his desk.

"One last note!" the Director continued, not even giving Retsuko acknowledgement. "Our associate Haida will not be joining us today. It seems he's been having some complications and won't be back for another week or so."

Retsuko stopped in her tracks, the tray shaking in her hands. Haida? Was he ok?

Retsuko's hands trembled, and as Ton reached for the scalding hot cup of tea, it did the unexpected. With a -clink-, it spilled over the Director's hand, and he let out a terrible scream. The cup then continued to tumble right onto his stomach, spilling the scalding tea all over his body.

The whole room gasped, watching Mr. Ton writhe in pain and scream, the boiling water soaking his shirt, his pink flesh turning bright red. "Oh my God!"

Retsuko jumped back, panicking. "I-I'm so sorry!"

Nobody seemed to notice her.

Everyone in the room rushed forward to help the Director, gathering around him.