Chapter 31: “Files and Affections”
The office buzzed with its usual activity as the team settled back into their familiar routine of file management. Ashi, Haari, Rafta, and Oki were back in their department, focusing on their core tasks of handling document requests, rechecking files, and ensuring everything was in order before final submission. It was a stable and quiet environment compared to the excitement of the recent team project, but it had its own rhythm and comfort.
**Tuesday Morning**
Ashi was deeply engrossed in reviewing a set of flagged files, her brow furrowed in concentration. Haari, having just finished his own tasks, noticed Ashi's puzzled expression as she scrolled through the documents. He approached her desk, mindful of his presence.
“Good morning, Nicawa-san,” Haari said gently, leaning in to catch her attention.
" Ah! Good morning Kichiro-san"
“I noticed some discrepancies in the document you’re reviewing. Is there an issue I can help with?”
Ashi looked up, startled but visibly relieved. “ I’ve been struggling with these files that came for re-checking today. Habi-san instructed me to review them, but I was working on other files yesterday.But i can't find that file right now maybe that fille is among these.”
Haari offered a reassuring smile. “I’m free at the moment. Would you like my assistance?”
Ashi nodded gratefully. “Yes, please. I’ve been wrestling with these figures for a while now.”
Haari pulled up a chair next to her and sat down, his close proximity making Ashi acutely aware of his presence. “Let’s examine this together. A fresh perspective might be helpful.”
As they worked side by side, Haari’s meticulous explanations drew Ashi’s attention.
“Nicawa-san, could you remind me what the file you’re searching for was about?” Haari asked.
“It was related to…” Ashi began, but her voice trailed off.
“I think I’ve found it. Is this the file you were looking for?” Haari said, pointing to a document on the screen.
Ashi’s eyes brightened as she recognized the file. “Yes, that’s the one. Thank you, Kichiro-san.”
“Once you’re finished with this file, I can check these other documents,” Haari suggested.
Ashi looked puzzled. “But don’t you have other tasks?”
Haari shook his head. “Not at the moment. I’m happy to help.”
“Thank you for your assistance, Kichiro-san,” Ashi said with a sincere smile.
“There’s no need to thank me. I was free either way,” Haari replied, his tone warm.
Haari continued to assist Ashi, calmly pointing out errors and helping to resolve them. His shoulder brushed against hers occasionally, making Ashi feel more aware of his presence than the task at hand.
“Here’s where the discrepancy lies,” Haari said, indicating a section on the screen with a gentle smile. “It appears the figures were transposed.”
Ashi’s gaze followed his finger, and she returned his smile. “Ah, I see now. Thank you for catching that.”
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
“It’s always beneficial to collaborate. It makes the work more efficient,” Haari said, his eyes meeting hers.
Rafta strolled over and leaned casually against the desk. “Hello, you two. Have you uncovered the secret to eternal youth in those files?”
Haari chuckled, glancing at Ashi before responding. “If we had, we’d definitely be wealthy by now. For now, we’re just ensuring the accuracy of the files.”
Ashi’s eyes widened in surprise, and she thought, *What does that mean?*
Rafta raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between them. “So it’s mundane immortality we’re pursuing. Understood.”
“What does that mean?” Haari asked, looking slightly confused.
Ashi smiled at the banter, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. “It’s nice to have a break from the seriousness.”
**Later That Week**
Rafta, Oki, Ashi, and Haari sat around the table, reviewing their checklist.
Oki, taking a serious tone, added, “We need to ensure all files are current and well-organized. We don’t want any last-minute issues. It will be such a pain in the Ass if that happen the other department make huge fuss on everything and i don't want to deal with them.”
Rafta flipped through the agenda with a nonchalant air. “I suppose I’ll handle the older files. Someone’s got to do the heavy lifting.”
Oki shot him a stern look. “Rafta, the audit is critical. We need everyone to be thorough.”
Rafta shrugged, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’m just trying to balance efficiency with survival. It’s a delicate art.”
Haari leaned in, his gaze lingering on Ashi before he spoke. “Perhaps Rafta’s strategy is to conserve his energy for a dramatic final effort. Sort of like a plot twist in a film.”
Rafta grinned. “Exactly. The ‘plot twist’ is my way of keeping things interesting.”
Ashi chuckled, meeting Haari’s gaze. “If the plot twist results in fewer errors in the files, I’m all for it.”
Oki nodded. “Let’s ensure we do our best tomorrow to compare notes and guarantee everything is perfect.”
“I’ll be here tomorrow,” Haari said with a smile. “I’ll also bring some snacks to make the process more enjoyable.”
Rafta raised an eyebrow. “Snacks? Now that’s an unexpected twist.”
The office continued with its usual tasks, but for Ashi, the days were now colored by her growing appreciation for Haari’s presence and the subtle, yet significant, changes in her feelings.
The Preparation Process
The team worked efficiently, dividing their tasks according to their strengths and preferences. Ashi and Haari worked closely together on verifying the accuracy of key documents.
As they sat side by side, Ashi noticed how Haari’s attention to detail complemented her own. She found herself more focused and motivated, enjoying the shared effort.
“Here’s where we need to double-check the figures,” Haari said, pointing to a section on the document they were reviewing. “It looks like there might be a small discrepancy.”
Ashi nodded, glancing at the figures on the screen. “I see what you mean. It’s a good thing we caught this now.”
Haari smiled, his proximity creating a sense of camaraderie. “Exactly. It’s always better to address these things early. Thanks for working through this with me.”
Ashi returned his smile, feeling a warmth from their interaction. “I’m glad we’re doing this together. It makes the process more manageable.”
As they continued, Rafta occasionally wandered over to check on their progress, his laid-back demeanor providing a contrast to the focused atmosphere. “How’s the dynamic duo doing? Found any hidden treasures in those files?”
Haari chuckled, his eyes meeting Ashi’s for a brief, shared moment of amusement. “Just making sure everything is in order. No hidden treasures yet, but we’re getting there.”
Ashi laughed softly. “We’re just trying to make sure everything is perfect.”
----------------------------------------
The Day of the Audit
The day of the audit arrived, and the team was ready. They convened in the conference room to review their final checklist. Haari, true to his word, had brought an assortment of snacks to keep everyone energized.
Oki reviewed the final checklist with a critical eye. “Everything looks good, but let’s double-check the final documents before we proceed.”
Rafta, munching on a snack, glanced at the others with a grin. “Looks like we’re all set. Time to show them what we’ve got.”
As they finalized their preparations, Haari leaned over to Ashi, his voice low and encouraging. “You’ve been great throughout this process. I really appreciate your hard work.”
Ashi met his gaze, feeling a flutter of warmth. “Thank you, Kichiro-san. It’s been a team effort, and I’ve enjoyed working closely with you.”
Oki cleared her throat, drawing their attention. “Let’s make sure we do our best again tomorrow to compare notes and ensure everything is perfect. We’re almost there.”
As the team prepared to wrap up for the day, Haari and Ashi shared a quiet moment, their conversation more personal than professional.
“I’m looking forward to catching up after this,” Haari said, his tone softer. “It’s been great working with you.”
Ashi’s heart raced slightly, a smile playing on her lips. “Me too. I’ve really enjoyed our time working together.”
With their preparations complete and the audit looming, the team felt a sense of accomplishment. Haari’s gestures and interactions with Ashi had brought them closer, and as they left the office, there was an unspoken anticipation of the connection that was growing between them.
To be continued…