A Workable Romance

Synopsis:  Taking place after Season 1 of Aggretsuko, Haida reveals his true feelings for Retsuko.   This is the result of his heartfelt confession to her.

‘Rubber ball I come bouncing back to you.’’--from the golden oldie, ‘Rubber Ball’   

Chapter 1--Beyond the Friendzone

Haida was fairly sure he had heard the song ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’ playing in the background the last time Retsuko brushed him off to ‘tend to things at home’ as she often put it.   Where she went no one in the office knew, not even Tsunada, who would’ve loved to have gotten a sniff of any unusual quirks to exploit.   

This was different than before though.   Haida had asked Retsuko out on a date and this time she didn’t turn him down.   He couldn’t believe his fortune. He had to admit it, just being around her made him feel as though he had ascended to paradise.   

They went to a hibachi, which wasn’t typical in their case, but Hyda wanted to splurge for Retsuko.   As far as he was concerned, she was worth it and he was only concerned for her happiness and well being.    So long as the ‘Space Cadet’ was out of her life for good he could make his move and prove to her just how supportive he would be, even until old age and beyond.   

‘So, what else is new in your life ?”, Haida asked, sweetly.   Retsuko had to admit, being around him was a breath of fresh air.   She never really saw him as anything other than a brother type but something was different about him today.   That air of musk he was wearing made him smell unbelievably fresh and alluring. HIs confident grin made her feel butterflies flitting around in her heart.   She wasn’t so certain she wanted to feel affection for someone, especially after having dumped Retsatsuke only 3 months ago. The pain still resided within her, that she couldn’t deny.   However, Haida had always been there for her. A constant companion. Haida reached across the table to pay for the check and Retsuko’s paw lightly brushed against his. It was the first time this had happened and the two blushed noticeably.    

‘We can go dutch.  It’s no big deal.”, Retsuko said.   Haida grinned. He loved the way Retsuko was so thoughtful and dependable.   She had practical solutions to everything. He didn’t know if she felt any differently though.   The mood had decidedly changed and chemistry had definitely sparked between them.

‘You know what’s funny ?’, Retsuko began, as she told Haida everything that had happened to her, save the death metal secret only Gori and Washimi knew.   

‘What’s that ?’, Haida responded, twitterpated and mesmerized.   He could listen Retsuko talk all day. Her voice was just so angelic he couldn’t wait to hear what she would say next.    

‘The higher ups aren’t much different than us.   Mr. Ton still loathes me and he really lets me have it from time to time.  I’ve stood my ground more than once. I think he knows I won’t be pushed around by his kind.   I’m sticking to being assertive. If he doesn’t like it, he can just lump it !’, Retsuko said.

‘That’s so badassed.’, Haida said, both paws now atop her’s.   Retsuko didn’t even flinch.

‘Why does this feel so normal ?  Why does this feel right ? This isn’t what I envisioned…’, she mused to herself.   It would’ve been more ideal with Retsusake, but Haida was just as attractive. Besides, Haida was incredibly smart, reliable, trustworthy and even funny.   He was more apt to speak his mind and complain if he felt there was an injustice in the workplace. Still though, a hyena and a red panda ? It seemed improbable.   Then again, the mouse and the cat had married not too long ago and their marriage was still going great guns.

Chapter 2--First Kiss

The meal had been sensational.  As an added treat, Haida bought the both of them some frozen yogurt for dessert.

‘You’re really going out of your way, aren’t you ?’, Retsuko said, giggling lightly.   He hadn’t seen her this happy in a long time. They ate, laughed and kvetched about work for a bit.   It was getting late so Haida drove Retsuko home. He stopped at her house and smiled gently, with a bit of a capricious glint in his eyes.  

‘I’ll see you at work tomorrow.’, he said, patting her paw affectionately.   Retsuko leaned over and kissed his cheek, quite unexpectedly.

‘That was for the frozen yogurt !  So incredible !”, she complimented.   Haida felt his whole body boiling. It was now or never.   He turned, looked her straight in the eyes and held her shoulders, tenderly.   His lips wouldn’t miss their assigned target. Ever so lightly, they landed onto Retsuko’s lips and they met.    Retsuko felt herself melting. It was more than she bargained for. Haida was an unreal kisser. The more he kissed her, the more she longed to be kissed.   She was equally sweet and addictive but the two of them knew if they continued to make out there would be trouble in paradise.

‘No, I’m not ready.’, Haida said, his whole face flushed.

‘Neither am I but someday I know we will be.’, Retsuko agreed, squeezing his paws into hers.   

‘What about the gossip mill at work ?’, Retsuko worried aloud.   She hadn’t thought about that possibility until after the fact.

‘Let ‘em talk.   They always do. Besides, I see you headin’ up.  I’m gonna miss ya when you’re gone but I don’t think we’ll ever be far apart.’, Haida said, stroking her paw with his thumb and forefinger.    He was a true gentleman. She wondered, given his leather attire if he was into death metal, grunge, alternative or heavy metal. He looked so bad-assed, she thought to herself.  She had never really seen him in anything other than a suit. Seeing him at his most authentic was refreshing. It was only her first date with him so she kept it simple. More complicated questions and secrets would be revealed later.   Somehow though, she knew, without any doubt, that no matter what they bumped into, they’d weather the storm like the troopers they were.

Chapter 3--Up the Corporate Ladder

Her hippo coworker heard all the news and couldn’t keep her mouth shut about it, but the moment Haida popped up, she zipped her lip.   It was so comical to see her so quiet but she finally burst out into happy squeals.

‘You two are so perfect for each other !  I’m glad ! I’m so happy ! You two deserve nothing but euphoria !’, she gushed.  She was like a romance novel enthusiast or telenovela fan. Secretly, Retsuko thought it was hysterical how her matronly coworker was speechless for once.   

Retsuko had been searching for a job even though Mr. Ton knew about it.  Due to the fact that Gori and Washimi reprimanded him for being such a hard-nosed supervisor, he really wasn’t that bad of a manager.   He could still be chauvinistic but that was simply his personality. Before he knew it, Retsuko had moved into another job that was less stressful and more rewarding.   Haida missed her, especially their conversations about every day at lunch. Seeing her again, though made him realize just how much she was growing, but he wondered where she went to sometimes late at night.   Out of curiosity, he decided to follow her.

Chapter 4--Death Metal Chic

It was a Friday night.  Washimi, Gori and Retsuko had gone out to karaoke.  Retsuko still had a little bit of pain to vent about, which she still did in brutal hardcore fashion.   She was every bit of the rager as she had been before but a bit more tempered thanks to Haida’s unconditional love.   She feared that maybe he’d flake out or worse once her secret was revealed.

The baboon clerk at the bar smiled gregariously.

‘Room for one ?’, he asked Haida, noticing his heavy metal attire.  He gave him a ‘rock n’ roll’ sign and let him into Retsuko’s room. Retsuko began to panic.

‘Retsuko, it’s alright.   Whatever you’re into it can’t be any worse than what I am into !’, Haida said.   He selected one of his favorite songs by Megadeth and began to sing.   His voice was GODLY.  She never expected it to be that good.  He could probably substitute for David Mustaine himself.  

Washimi and Gori immediately approved of Haida but Haida was a bit starstruck.  He found it challenging to speak to the higher ups but once they got him going they were all laughing in no time.   Even though Haida knew about Retsuko’s secret and she knew about his, no one else ever would. They could both scream about their odd hours and the fact there were still nosy parkers in the workplace.  But so long as they were apart, they could always return to each other. Haida wondered, however, what it would be like if that could be made permanent. After all, he was moving up the corporate food chain.  In no time, Mr. Ton would retire and the company would belong to him.    

Chapter 5--A Park Proposal

The next time Haida and Retsuko saw each other, they went to the park.  Everything was verdant and alive. It was both their favorite part of the year, especially temperature wise.

‘Everything’s so lovely !’, Retsuko commented, squeezing Haida’s paw.  The velveteen touch she had made him blush. Just being near her made butterflies flitter in his stomach, nearly making him giddy.  He figured that if it were any time to propose, now was it.

‘Retsuko, I was wondering, we’ve known each other for years…’, he began, getting down on one knee.   Retsuko found her blue eyes beginning to water with happy tears. He didn’t even have to utter one more syllable.  

‘You know my answer, Haida.  Whatever happens, I think our friendship has become love and it can only grow and mature into something more beautiful.’, she said, leaning down to clasp his face into her gentle paws.   She pulled his face close to hers and kissed him, deeply. It was the first time they had felt stirrings in their loins for one another since they had made out on their first date. Neither one of them had made love as of yet.   They were savoring that for when they actually did marry. Haida had mentioned he wanted kids with Retsuko, which she was delighted about, but they would get to know each other first before bringing any little ones into the world.   Life, however, did have other plans. Whatever it had in its arsenal, they knew they could meet it head on.

Epilogue

Haida and Retsuko were married in an intimate ceremony.   Everyone at work was invited. Mr. Ton was even caught weeping joyously when he thought people didn’t see it.   Retsuko had always known the pig to have been good deep down even if he came across as a so-and-so at times. He had seen her grow and now she was the CEO of her own company and certainly not a horrible boss like he was most of the time.    

Haida stared at Retsuko in her silken, gossamer gown.  She looked like something straight out of his dreams. She was a princess, even if she did enjoy death metal.  It simply made her all the more attractive to him.

As soon as they took that first kiss as a blissful married couple, Haida and Retsuko knew that their lives would change and evolve whatever came down the pike.   They would see to it together, learning and growing along the way.

The End