Days at the office were a drain on the already overburdened Matsuko Osako, but today's rush was simply hellish. The constant shuffling of shoes running back and forth, papers flying with wind breaking speeds, numerous voices that ultimately sounded like another language, and the high-ringing sounds of the phones.
Ms. Osako nevertheless kept that frustration in the backseat as she dutifully took the calls with her polite yet firm attitude. To her at least, Otufuke was a cake-walk compared to someplace like Tokyo. Most of her colleagues were placed in their own stations, with help being minimal most of the time. Luckily for her, a recent coworker named Iwao Ando assisted her in both work and feeling comfortable in the office.
The work day was finally ending as the work pace slowed to a much more manageable degree, yet the outgoing Matsuko was picking up the pieces as the rest went home. Mr. Ando went to her as he swept the room of debris from the prior chaos. He was an average sized fellow, though a tad shorter than Matsuko, had a slightly tanner skin tone than hers, and had a generous dose of muscle and heft.
"Not going home yet, Osako-san?" he spoke in a soothing low voice and he rubbed his black, wavy hair. "Overtime pay isn't that important."
She brushed her brown chin-length hair back as she chuckled half-heartedly. "Oh, I know. But this place is a mess and no one else has the energy to clean up for the morning crew."
Iwao helped her tidy up the office space to her smiling relief. Getting help once in a while was relaxing in itself, and she exhaled while dusting off her gray business suit.
"Honestly, Ando-san," she declared in a slightly lower voice, remembering she didn't have to be overly polite to a familiar coworker. "We both get too much out of us. The consumer complaints, the worker-manager liaison work, damage control? So much work put on me and I'm not even 30!"
He chuckled, admiring her honesty. His nods were also genuine, and he noticed as well how Matsuko was saddled with an unreasonable amount of duties. The thought was strengthened by her stretching herself and getting some delayed movements.
"You've been working way too long," he uttered. "How about you rest up while I clean up for a bit?"
"Agh, no no," she waved her hand assertively, looking rather peeved. "I'll start feeling guilty watching you do the work."
"Understood. But I still want to help you out while you're taking a breather."
"Well," she sang. "I am feeling a bit stiff. Would you mind...?"
She swiveled her chair around and playfully wiggled her back. Iwao had no objection and began massaging her shoulders, with her purring getting a grin out of him.
"Oh uh," she stammered. "Forget you heard that. It's been a long day."
"Uh huh," he chuckled.
He continued this movement more and more, putting emphasis on his thumb's pressure on joints.
"Wow, you're pretty good at this!" Matsuko praised. "Ando-san, you really need to say when you're talented at something."
"I'm content doing what I do without saying it. But if you do want to know something more about me, you're free to ask."
Matsuko pondered for a bit. "Are you good at music?"
"Not great, but I like dabbling with guitars. Especially bass ones." He finished as he hit a very tense part of her back.
"Amazing!"
"To my hobby or my massaging," he joked.
"Shush, you," she laughed, causing him to laugh too.
After Iwao's laughter ended, he noticed Matsuko's legs fully stretched out. He had always felt guilty admiring her long legs, whether they were bare or had pantyhose, and he tried to look away.
"What about yourself, Osako-san," he coaxed. "How does a responsible lady like yourself unwind?"
She paused and felt a strange sensation. She couldn't remember another coworker asking her something about herself. Schedule changes, shift replacements, call-offs. Maybe the general "how's your day been?" small talk. It was so refreshing to hear actual interest in her life.
"Well, since you asked," she cooed. "I really like drawing and painting. It's great at stress relief. Oh, and lots of movies. Any kind but especially romance. And music! Oh, I was so happy when you said you played. I love listening to it, but I don't think I can find enough time to read music."
"If you did, what would you like to play?"
"Woodwind," she blurted. "Flutes are so peaceful sounding but they can be fun, too!"
Iwao rubbed his neck and blushed as he began, "Maybe during a day off, we could practice playing together?"
"Ah! I'd love that! I have work tomorrow, but the day after I'm free."
"Same. I'll meet you at the park then."
He gave her his number, and the two felt spirited afterward. So much in fact that they left without finishing cleaning up the offices until they rushed back to hurry up.
____
Days went and passed as coworkers noticed how relaxed Ms. Osako had been, which in turn made the work flow easier to process. She had been enjoying spending time with her coworker-turned-friend. Her connections were slim at first since moving, but the native from Hokkaido was making her feel right at home. The music lessons were tricky, but Mr. Ando was a very patient person and never hammered in barbed or condescending remarks.
