It was unusual for the managing partner of the firm to ask to see him. Akira was shown into her office on the dot at the appointed hour.
She was flipping through a few pages at her desk and waved for him to sit on the sofas.
He acquiesced and the secretary slipped out stealthily.
He was more curious than nervous.
It was either particularly good or incredibly bad. There was no middle ground when one found himself/herself in Misaki Kanno's large office.
The way she won the partnership vote for the chair three years ago was the stuff of legends on the street. To the point where Akira sat through an entire dinner with Inaba and Segihara regaling him with the gossip circulating among other law firms.
She scratched a few forceful strokes on the document and stood up. Another impatient wave when Akira stood as well out of politeness.
Her husky voice only spoke once they were both seated across from each other.
"Let's dispense with the small chat."
Not unexpected. Akira nodded in agreement.
Something amused her because she smiled crookedly.
He thought it would be wise not to comment.
"You have offers from our competitors," she carried on. "Two, in fact."
Her sharp eyes watched his every reaction. Akira was surprised, more by her interest than the speed of the news which reached her ears.
Discretion was no match for her connections.
"I do," he acknowledged.
"Have you accepted either?"
"Not yet."
"Honest," she remarked coolly.
"They are good opportunities, deserving due consideration. It's only rational," he explained calmly.
A momentary flicker of surprise registered in those hardened irises. Gone in a second.
The amused smile was back.
Akira didn't think that the conversation was humorous.
"You should decline," she told him imperiously.
He kept his face impassive but was taken aback.
Misaki rose and went over to the table. She picked up a folder and placed it on the table between them when she sat down again.
"Our latest mandate."
Akira picked it up warily and opened to read the contents. He couldn't stop the surprise from showing on his face.
"I am going to oversee this personally and I want you on the file," she explained.
He reminded her, "I am just a senior associate."
"There will be another partner of course," she allowed and leaned forward. "You've proven yourself before, Hasegawa. I expect nothing but your best and more."
"Thank you for the opportunity," he said sincerely.
Misaki nodded and laid out the hard truth. "It is risky. You'll either be a partner or get fired by the end of it."
Given the size of the mandate, the fees which the firm could collect and the months of intense and potentially acrimonious negotiations ahead, Akira had no doubt.
He was also cognizant of her tactics here. He would work his bone off to accomplish this. Given his track record and her supervision, the risk was managed. She could also hold off losing a good worker to competition.
There was much to learn from her.
"I look forward to your guidance," Akira said.
Misaki actually chuckled slightly. She ordered, "Send your declines today."
"I will."
xxxxxxxx
"We're drinking up tonight!" Segihara declared.
Inaba opened the wine fridge. "Let's finish the most expensive stuff."
Takumi helpfully pointed him to a bottle. "That one. It's good."
Akira chuckled and set the wine glasses on the coffee table.
They were having impromptu drinks at his place to celebrate his promotion to partnership. The announcement was just made by his law firm that very afternoon.
Akira only told Takumi and they were planning a dinner before Segihara demanded a drinking session after finding out in the legal circles.
After the wine glasses were filled, Inaba raised his and cheered, "Congratulations!"
"You did it!"
"One of the youngest partners in that vicious firm!"
"Thank you," Akira said gratefully.
"Always knew you'd make it," Segihara grinned and slapped his back.
"He has been planning this since college," Inaba teased.
"Not exactly," Akira remarked drily.
He continued to endure the good-natured ribbing by his friends but noticed that Takumi, sitting across, was surprisingly quiet.
He just smiled. Not the brilliant version he presented to the world. Quieter, with a form of contentment and secrecy. As if he knew something special.
It disrupted the rhythm in Akira's chest.
The flow of conversation and alcohol continued late into the night. The next step would have been complete inebriation, but good sense prevailed.
"Shit, I have to go," Inaba muttered when he glanced at his phone.
"Your wife calling?" Takumi teased.
Inaba laughed. "I like being married but it has some rules."
"It suits you," Akira meant it.
"It does," Inaba agreed. He stood up, "Try it, boys. It's good to go home to someone."
"Ugh, no thanks." Segihara waved his hands.
"You'll change your mind," Inaba predicted.
After they said their goodbyes and he closed the door, Akira found Takumi getting his coat as well.
"Should you be driving?" he asked pointedly.
"I didn't drink much. Work tomorrow," Takumi replied confidently.
Akira was not convinced. "I can send you home-"
Takumi interrupted him with a laugh. "You are more likely to be arrested for drunk driving than I am right now. Don't worry."
"Or you could stay over," Akira offered.
A flicker of surprise crossed Takumi's face before an impish smile appeared. "Not today. But I'll take you up on that offer another time."
Akira felt a mixture of disappointment as he watched Takumi put his coat on. In the back of his mind, a mocking voice whispered that he should stop skirting around a very important issue, now that work was no longer an excuse.
He ignored it and opened the door again.
"Are you happy?" his best friend turned to him and asked suddenly.
Akira hadn't considered that notion. Accomplished, yes. Satisfied, definitely.
But happy?
"I'm so happy for you, you know," Takumi went on softly. "It's what you wanted right?"
What he wanted?
What he really, truly wanted was…
"I'm happier that you celebrated it with me," he said.
"Idiot. Obviously," Takumi giggled. "See you."
Akira nearly reached out to-
He cut the thought. Steadied his voice.
"See you."