Kirishima x Reader // "Sometimes I'm Alone in a Crowd"

Chapter 7

"You mentioned you were reading this book, right?"

"Uh yeah, you remembered?" She was a bit taken aback that he actually remembered a passing comment on a book she started reading during lunch sometimes.

"Sure! I feel I'm a pretty good listener. I'm guessing I'm right then?" He set the book down and surveyed the rest of the room. "You're in charge of all these people? I bet you're a great boss." There was that blinding smile again, and this time she couldn't help hide her blush from the flattery. Commenting on her looks was one thing, but she really did care about doing well at her job, and making sure her team did well.

"Mmm...I hope so. It's stressful sometimes, keeping track of so many people. My job as a Director is to ultimately make them be better than me, to give them the potential to excel. There's this...mentality in a lot of places that keeping your position is more important than helping the people around you to the best of your ability. If you boost yourself while pushing others down, it'll only hinder your team. I probably won't work here forever, and someone here will take my place eventually. And hopefully they can improve on what I'm building...what?" She had spaced out while talking, but turned back to Kirishima. He had this...look on his face that made her breath catch in her throat. It was the look of someone who was falling into something deeper than he could understand in that single moment. He blinked, the spell was broken.

"Uh, sorry. Um...yeah, I was right. You're a really good boss."

"Oh hey look alcohol yes I need some of that." The air was thick, and she needed something to thin it significantly. She pulled him over to a table filled with cheap beer, sake, and plum wine. "It's all free so go nuts." They made a mock toast with their cheap plastic cups, signaling the start of a long night.

"Oh, are you hungry? I'm a bad host, there's food over in the kitchen." Kirishima's eyes seemed light up at the mention of food, so she set her purse down at her desk, covering it with a blanket she kept around, and led him into the area filled with increasingly energetic and loud people. She grabbed his hand to lead him through the crowd to the tables with various snacks and foods, and he held onto it gladly.

"You guys don't hold back on the parties..." Kirishima's mouth started to water at the impressive spread. He went straight for anything with meat in it, Ryuko adding some greens to her own plate. Before they could head back to the more secluded area around her department an intoxicated brunette nearly tripped in front of them.

"I FOUND YOU!! You've been hiding..." Ochako's cheeks were flushed from the obvious alcohol on her breath, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Uh...Kirishima, this is my coworker Ochako. As you can tell she's drunk."

He nodded in her direction, "Hi, nice to meet you!" Ochako smiled crookedly at his happy demeanor. At that moment they were jointed by another person, this one with long dark green hair and large eyes. It took a moment, but a look of recognition hit him.

"Hmm...sorry, you look familiar. Do I know you?" Tsu smiled warmly up at him.

"Yes, you do. We had some classes together in college. When Ryu described you, I had a strong suspicion that I knew who she was talking about." Tsu kept a calm face as she held Ochako to keep her from wobbling to the ground in a giggling fit.

"Aha, you're right! Tsu, correct? It's good to see you again." The green haired woman nodded in confirmation.

"We'll let you guys eat, c'mon Ochako. You need to drink some water." Tsu started to lead her coworker away, when Ochako broke free to point back over to Kirishima.

"You better be nice to her!! I'll kick your ass if I find out you're mean!" Quickly covering her mouth and voicing an apology, Tsu managed to lead Ochako back around to the other end of the room towards a table with bottled water. Kirishima's gaze lingered where they disappeared in the crowd, then slid over to his date next to him. She didn't look up as she cleared her throat.