There is nothing like the anticipation of being called to the boss's office and then having to wait because he isn't there yet himself. Totally nerve wracking. Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised, he does this sort of thing all the time, just not with me. Come to think of it, the most private conversations I've had with Mr. Hashido are when he stands awkwardly outside of my cubicle asking for updates and receiving my binders of completed work. He shows up before long with Mr. Yoshida beside him.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Ito. I hope this day has fared you well." Mr. Yoshida offers a short bow.

"Oh, yes-yes it has. Thank you. I hope the same for you, sir." Hashido nods and walks past us, beckoning us into his office. Should I stand with them, or are they waiting for me to have a seat? I can't decide so I remain standing and wait.

"So, I understand that you have already submitted your first set of sketches," Hashido does not look at me as he talks, instead he busies himself straitening random items on his desk. "Much ahead of schedule and the rest of your peers. I do hope you are not rushing this project; may I remind you that Mr. Yoshida is our highest priority client."

Does he believe I have given no thought to my work? How has no one else submitted anything yet?

"Yes, sir, I am well aware of the high stakes. I have worked diligently since I was given the honor of working for Mr. Yoshida. Despite my co-artist being difficult at times, I have remained focused. I was also unaware that I am the first to submit work, I do not view the deadline as the day to submit but the latest to do so. I would have more time to make alterations if need be if I submit early. would you prefer that I do not submit before the deadline?" He seems taken aback but shakes his head and assures me that it is fine. Meanwhile, Mr. Yoshida is stalk still and completely silent, as if only an uninvolved bystander.

"So, Mr. Shimizu gives you trouble, does he? I often have chances to scold him myself, though I find his artistic capabilities unexpectedly promising and his alacrity commendable. While I sympathize with you, it would be wise to hold your tongue on the matter and deal with his eccentricity. He has been here longer than you, after all, you may have a lot to learn from that young man." I bow apologetically, lingering so that the hair falling over my face would hide my blush. I can't believe he just chewed me out for the first time in front of Mr. Yoshida! Ugh, how will I get close enough to him to show him my art personally and ask him all of my unanswered questions? "Regardless, we are not here to discuss Mr. Shimizu. Mr. Yoshida has taken a particular interest in your work. He has told me that your rendition of his lead protagonist, uh-oh yes, Ryota, quite exemplary. We have decided to give you and your co-artist a small bonus and you will also be receiving extra assignments. It will be up to you and Mr. Shimizu to design and craft the cover art for the production. There will be two different covers, one for the physical copy and another for digital streaming. Understand that none of the deadlines will change, you will expect to submit both at the proper time despite any other duties you already have. Of course, if this is all too much you are welcome to decline and retain your current responsibilities."

As if I would turn down such an opportunity! Challenge accepted!

"It would be the greatest honor; however, I wonder why Mr. Shimizu is not present if this is a shared task?"

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"We actually discussed this with him when we first began considering it. He has already confirmed his interest on the condition that you are as well." He didn't mention anything about it during our session yesterday, did he think it would overwhelm me? I glance over to Mr. Yoshida whose gaze meets my eyes, but he seems bored. I can't imagine a man like him giving anyone a compliment, you could almost feel a cold breeze emanating from him like a ghost passing through the room.

A few formalities later, Mr. Yashido takes his leave, and Mr. Hashido waves me off. I don't make it down the hall before hearing a strange deep voice mutter my name. I spun around so quickly I nearly tumbled forward into Mr. Yoshida's arms.

"Sorry, Mrs. Ito, I did not mean to give you a start." Mr. Yoshida takes my hand and presses his soft lips against it.

"Oh um, just miss, actually." His smile makes me feel as though I were looking into the eyes of a fox. And though I couldn't shake the feeling, I didn't mind his strangeness.

"Oh good, then no one would be bothered if I asked you to dinner then? I was hoping to take you somewhere nice and discuss your superb artwork." Oh my. Did the Yoshida of the best manga of all time just ask a me, a dweeb, on a-a date? Wait, no he just wants to talk about work...at a fancy restaurant? That has to be a date, right? Or do big name people always do that sort of thing for business meetings? He starts to look uncomfortable the longer I take to reply but what if I say something stupid? what if it's not a date and I embarrass myself, would he kick me off of the project? But saying nothing is worse.

I nod slowly. "Yes, that would be fine."

"Great I will pick you up at your place tomorrow evening, I will make a reservation for seven-o-clock." He didn't even give me chance to answer if that worked for me or even to give him my address. He strutted down the hall and disappeared around the corner, ever so silently as a fox on the prowl.

After work I met Shimizu at Ribatei, where he works part-time. We have been holding mini sessions at one the tables there before he starts his shift and then during his short breaks. When I arrive there today, he already has my usual set out at the window seat I have taken a liking to. I try to focus on the ink and paper, but my mind keeps traveling back to the smiling Yoshida. I will have to avoid him tomorrow, I don't know what I would say if I ran into him. Oh no, I am going to make such a fool of myself tomorrow. Maybe I can just call out sick and when he comes to collect me, I'll cough and tell him I have to postpone. But then he will have it in his head that I am just another sickly artist living in a rickety old shack of an apartment. I sigh heavily to myself; I will just quit, and I will never have to think of how embarrassed I already am.

Shimizu jabs me with his elbow. "What's the matter, lady. I've known you to be deep in your mind, but you really fell in there this time." He playfully knocks on my head, earning him a glare and halfhearted swat.

"I've just been talking with foxes, is all." I mutter.

"Hmm." He looks so thoughtful, staring off into the distance. A couple of young girls sitting in his line of sight get antsy assuming that he's looking at them. "Well then, suppose this fox gets all shifty on you, I'll hunt it down for ya, 'kay?" Yeah right. He's more of the damsel in destress archetype, I mean how menacing can a blue cotton candy-head be?

Somehow, we managed to get some work done before his boss called him to the back. Into which he disappeared for a while, coming out a few times to collect dirty dishes and give the counters a quick wipe. I found that I really enjoyed those moments, he pauses to smile and wave at me every time before disappearing again.

It so happens that his restaurant job is only a couple blocks from my apartment, so most nights he walks me back home. I never had brothers growing up, I don't know if the funny feeling I get when we are alone is what other girls feel with their older protective siblings. It's not anything that I have felt with any old lover or friend. Something about Shimizu is just comfortable and though he looks ridiculous, I think he would take on any old shifty character for me. I wonder if Shimizu has any siblings. He doesn't talk about his family much except for when he feels compelled to explain how much his parents have been helping him lately.