Murder, She Raged

Chapter Two

Finally the seemingly endless day came to an end.

Retsuko breathed shakily, typing on her computer and looking around at the office. Everyone seemed to be returning to normal, going about their business as usual- collecting their things, saying their goodbyes and clocking out like nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Fenneko came up, buttoning up her jacket. "Gonna be a rainy one tonight. You sure you don't want to swing by and give Haida a visit? Bet he'll think the whole shitshow today is a real laugh." She grinned, trying to lift Retsuko's spirits.

Retsuko pressed her mouth into a fine line, battling the strong desire inside to see her beloved friend. "I really don't think it's a good idea. Besides..." She laughed, holding up the stacks of files she'd been stuck with. "I really ought to start on this, don't you think?"

"Got saddled with more homework, huh?" Fenneko observed in a dry tone, her eyes moving to Tsubone. The Komodo Dragon woman often used her age and seniority as an excuse to get the younger employees to do her dirty work, and ever since she had sprained her wrist in a small accident some weeks ago, she'd been laying it on thicker than ever.

"I-it's not so bad," Retsuko assured her friend.

"Alright. Later, then." Fenneko said, giving a wave and departing with the crowd.

Retsuko started spreading out the documents, putting a pencil to her chin. This kind of work was beyond her lowly position, what was Tsubone doing sticking this kind of work to her?

"Ahem," came a soft voice, causing Retsuko to look up.

"I don't believe Mr. Komiya authorized overtime for tonight."

Tsunoda stood over Retsuko's desk, her wide eyes looking down on her.

"You wouldn't want to complicate things on his first day on the job, would you?" she asked, wiggling in.

"I, uh...but I..." Retsuko sat perplexed.

"What she means is, I don't want to overwork my employees," Komiya chimed in, sliding in right beside Tsunoda and giving Retsuko a smug look. "Please, go home. Take your shoes off. Enjoy the rest of your night."

"But the work-"

"Mr. Ton might have told you to stay all night and finish it, but I'm not Mr. Ton, am I?" Komiya said with a smirk.

"He's not," echoed Tsunoda, batting her eyes.