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>>37753639
>Other?
Mom?

>>37753639
>Kaori

>>37753639
>Masami

>>37753639
>>37753782
Anon has a decent idea! Unless it's hard to do due to excessive meta-knowledge.

>>37753639
>Masami

>>37753967
Perfectly fine if you want it

Also i'm on and off writing when we reach a decision. Vote still open for a few minutes

>>37753639
+1'ing Mom POV

>>37753639
>Other? (Mom)

>Mom!
On and off writing, sorry if it's a little late today.

>>37754510
Still a fine time!

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I'm Itsukuma Izumi! Today is just another day at work for me.
..At least, that's how it is on the outside. Inside I am SO WORRIED RIGHT NOW.

The parking lot is as empty as always. That's the great thing about not having any employees who live outside the building.
I just wish it didn't come with all the downsides..

"Morning Izumi." The receptionist briefly tilts her head to acknowledge me. She's good at putting on a nice face. Deep down, I know she's just another pawn like the rest of them.

"Izumi" She grabs my attention once more, "I hope you're aware that your ward was here yesterday sneaking around the building."

Oh right! She was!

She almost immediately notices the look on my face and sighs, "..Just next time, let us know if she's going to be sneaking around the building."

"Eheh, Right." I step into the elevator, keying in my floor.
"I'm serious now-!" she yells just before the door closes.

8:05, Masami and Kaori should be waking up soon back at home.

Yesterday was such a mess, I'm glad it's over now. I spent maybe an hour in my bedroom crying after they went to bed.

I was sincerely worried yesterday that Kaori would do something like try to fight the chairman. I'm glad Masami followed along behind her, but that only made me even more worried about them. I'm not sure what I was thinking sending her after Kaori, I'm so stupid sometimes.
'Why risk one daughter when I can risk two?' stupid. stupid.

The door slides open and the 13th floor comes into view.
Even if everyone is safe, I still have such a mess to clean up after yesterday.

>No point putting it off, go see my contact about yesterday
>Visit my office, for some reason my door is propped open suspiciously
>Straight upstairs to report in, I don't want him thinking that I'm late or something.
>Other?

>>37756534
>Visit my office, for some reason my door is propped open suspiciously

>>37756534
>Visit my office, for some reason my door is propped open suspiciously

>>37756534
>>Visit my office, for some reason my door is propped open suspiciously

>>37756534
>Visit my office, for some reason my door is propped open suspiciously

>>37756534
>No point putting it off, go see my contact about yesterday
What contact?

>>37756666
probably that one nice monster that went to our place, no?

>Visit my office, for some reason my door is propped open suspiciously

Writing!

>>37756534
>"Izumi" She grabs my attention once more, "I hope you're aware that your ward was here yesterday sneaking around the building."
Is she talking about Kaori or Masami? Because if she's talking about Masami then our stealth card did jack shit at actually keeping us hidden.

>>37757276
Dad is master of everything in the building. Everything.

>>37757276
We were spotted when we took the card off to get through the doors on the way out.

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..!?
Why is my office door propped open!?

Oh that's no good, no no no no no good at all.
The floor is usually completely empty, it's kept that way so everyone on this floor can look outside their office and see everyone else in their own offices. Except the chairman's office, his is special in some way and he doesn't let anyone go in and have a look.

But I keep my office locked because I know people go through these if they're unlocked. So to see the door propped open fills me with both anger and worry.
That means someone with one of the master keys opened it, and there's only two people in this whole building that have those kind of keys.

I carefully step across the carpeted flooring and peek into the office. No one inside that I can see.

Oh, I know how this goes.

Reaching into my pocket, I find a loose piece of scrap paper that I picked up from my car and crumple it in my hand.
I slowly turn my back and "pretend" to accidentally drop it right in front of the doorway.

Wait for it... Wait for it...

"SKREEEEHISSSSSSS" A monstrosity leaps down and tries to snatch and grab at the crumpled up ball.
Just in time for me to bring my foot down on the top of its carapace. I can feel the glow I was building up in my foot strike downward into him like a bolt of static.
"SKKAARRGGHH"
"Oh grow up. It didn't hurt that bad." I say, picking up the piece of paper. "Janitors should know not to go in my office, even if the door is opened. So stay out next time."

The beast whines and grumbles some as it awkwardly hobbles to the stairwell. I tried to convince Asai to get HUMAN janitors who could understand these things and didn't learn bad habits like prowling the building for trash, but he never understands. Everything to him has to be cheap and it has to be something that he has power over. He's such a control freak.

>Cont.

>>37757804
That's pretty adorable.

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>>37757804
I flip the light switch on and look at the clock. Oh good, the clock is still set where I left it.

I was worried they might try to go through my office if they knew Masami and Kaori were getting bold. But it seems my more secretive projects have gone completely unnoticed.

Which is good, because I had first thought that the way to get to the secret project was too simple, and I may have left a reminder laying around in the open.

Quickly, I lock the door behind me and search around on my desk.
Oh I can't believe I did this, I left the paper with my hint on it laying in the open. It's an obscured hint, but that doesn't make it any less obvious once you realize the trick to it.

Stupid. stupid. It could be gone already and there would be nothing I could do about it.

I grab the guest chair and set it in front of the door. The key is the wall clock which sits above the doorway. To the ordinary eye, it seems like a broken clock no one ever seemed to have fixed. But with a little imagination-

"Let's see," I peruse the long list of appointment names until I come to three well-worn names on the sheet of paper. "Harry - 12:00, Michelle - 5:00, Sally - 8:00."

Reaching up to the broken clock, I start to change the hands around. I hope I'm not too late. If they found out about those projects I could just die.
Hour hand to 12:00, Minute hand to 5:00, Second hand to 8:00.

Somewhere in the room, there's a click. I walk over to my vase on my desk. I reach in and feel at the bottom until my hand slips into a secret compartment I put into it.

My fingers pull out three cards, two of them are little side project I have for Masami. Except that last one, that's a kind of insurance I have against Asai.

And I need that peace of mind against him. Especially when I have two kids to watch over now.

"Oh thank god." I say, sighing in relief.

>Okay, check on that contact
>Maybe I should call Masami
>Walk around the building, see if anyone is around
>Other?

>>37758226
>Okay, check on that contact
Let's.

>>37758226

>Okay, check on that contact

>>37758226
>>Okay, check on that contact

>>37758226
>Okay, check on that contact

>>37758226
>Okay, check on that contact

>>37758226
>Okay, check on that contact

>>37758226
>Maybe I should call Masami
It would be better if we knew about Kaori so we could bring it up with the contact

>Contact it is!
Writing!

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I put everything back and set the clock to an inconspicuous position. Whew, I would die if anyone found out about that.
Well, not literally, maybe.

Aside from that! I need to get started today. A lot of things happened yesterday, which means there is probably lots of office drama occurring behind my back about what to do with the two kids of Empress. So I need to step up and be the best Empress I know how to be!

I write something down on a slip of paper and slide it into my pocket before leaving the room. This time, I'm sure to shut the door behind me SECURELY just to make sure.

--

50th floor, all is as it should be. Which is good, because Masami told me this place was in an uproar yesterday. Usually when that happens there are upturned tables, destroyed printers and machines, doors torn off the hinges.
It just doesn't seem like a very safe working environment when that happens.

There he is, the one person in this whole building that I can trust with a secret. I quietly walk past him and "accidentally" drop the slip of paper. I don't bother looking back as I pace the hall several times before returning right back to the break room.

Oh! Cupcakes today! I-
..
I really want to, but I shouldn't.
Pout.

"Empress?"
Oh! Oh. It's him.
"You wanted to see me?"

"Right, I-"

>Want to hear what happened yesterday
>Want to know what the Chairman and Asai talked about
>Can you watch my kids today? I'm worried about what happened yesterday
>Do you know why someone was in my office?
>Other?

>>37759691
>Want to know what the Chairman and Asai talked about

>>37759691

>Want to know what the Chairman and Asai talked about

>>37759691
>>Want to know what the Chairman and Asai talked about

>>37759691
>Do you know why someone was in my office?
>Can you watch my kids today? I'm worried about what happened yesterday

>>37759691
>Oh! Cupcakes today!
Mom is adorable.

>>37759691
>Do you know why someone was in my office?
>Want to know what the Chairman and Asai talked about

>Want to know what the Chairman and Asai talked about.
>Do you know why someone was in my office?

Sounds good
Writing!

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"I want to know what the Chairman and Asai talked about after Masami left. I know you were spying on that conversation."
"Indeed I was, Empress." He leans against the doorframe. "The chairman merely put Asai in his place. They didn't even mention Ma- Kaori after she left."

"Put him in his place, for what?"

"He mouthed off to the chairman like he usually does. This time Asai was trying to undermine him again in a ploy to intimidate the chairman. "

I sigh, "So business as usual?"

"Not quite, because this time it seemed to have worked."

That's a shock, I'm almost certain that nothing phases the chairman anymore. Not threats, not words, nothing.
"It worked? How?"
"The chairman called in sick today, but-"

He adjusts his position from the doorframe to ensure no one is trying to listen in on them.
"-but he's secretly here. Hiding in one of his safe rooms away from Asai. As far as I know, Asai has no idea that he's here today."

In all my time, I've never heard of him doing that.
"Are you sure!? I'm not sure I've heard of him being legitimately terrified of Asai."

I mean, he is 'the master' after all. Ugh, the fact that he describes himself that way makes me sick.

"That's all I can observe of him, apologies Empress."
"No no! That's good. Um. Other than that-"

I lean in close to him, "Was anyone in my office yesterday?"
"The chairman went door to door to see if the floor was cleared before he met with Kaori. Also Pr-Masami was going through the rooms as well."

I need to teach Masami not to go into other people's rooms, that's rude.

>"Thanks for the help! Let me know if anything changes."
>"Come with me to Asai's office, it's time to report in for the day."
>"I'm going back to my office, so you're free to do as you wish."
>Other?

>>37761702
>"Thanks for the help! Let me know if anything changes."

>>37761702
>"Thanks for the help! Let me know if anything changes."

>>37761702
>>"Thanks for the help! Let me know if anything changes."

>>37761702
>"Thanks for the help! Let me know if anything changes."

>"Thanks for the help! Let me know if anything changes."

Writing, sorry last one took so long.

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"Thanks for the help!"
I leap forward and hug him, but I don't think he really understand what that means. He swiftly dodges and crosses his arms like I just tried to assault him or something.
"-But seriously, thank you so much for helping." I smile at him, I'm not sure he understands what that means either.

"As you wish, Empress. I'm glad to be of help."
"Oh don't be that way." I pat him on the shoulder, "You're always a great help!"
"I.. certainly hope I am."
"And you are! Anyway. I'm going back to my office. Let me know if anything changes."

I smile and walk away, it isn't his fault that he can't understand the gratitude of others. He's not like Masami or I.

Speaking of which, I should report in to Asai today. I don't want him thinking that I'm skipping work or something. It's bad enough everyone is already looking at me because of Masami.

I just have to keep reminding myself that, I'm doing all of this for Masami.

I knock on Asai's door, and as usual it seems to open on its own.
How does he do that?

"Welcome Empress! I'm glad you decided to show up to work today, unlike some other people." He smiles, leaning back in his chair.

Eregh, it's that feeling again. He always seems so controlling, it makes me freeze where I stand. How does he do that?

>"Y-you too.."
>"T-thanks. "
>"Y-yeah, I'm here. S-so, um, I'll be back in my office goodbye."
>"S-say, what happened yesterday? A-and where's the chairman?"
>Other?

>>37763994
>"S-say, what happened yesterday? A-and where's the chairman?"

>>37763994
>"Y-you too.."
Has to be

>>37763994
>"Y-yeah, I'm here. S-so, um, I'll be back in my office goodbye."

>>37763994
>>"T-thanks. "

>>37763994
>"Y-yeah, I'm here. S-so, um, I'll be back in my office goodbye."

>>37763994
>"Y-you too.."

>Y-you too
>S-so i'm going back to my office bye

Writing!
Uh oh it's getting late and I'm no where I wanted to stop! I better pick up the pace.

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"Y-you too." I say as my voice pitches downwards.

No no no, he's not my superior! He's not an adult! Why do I talk to him like this?! I need to act firm, proud! I can't let him walk all over me!

He laughs, a shiver runs up my spine.
I just want to go home.

"As to you, Empress. "
"S-so I'mGoingToGoDownToMyOfficeNowBye"

Yeah! Perfect!

"Well before you do, Izumi. Can you tell me what your ward- I'm sorry, 'Masami' was doing around here yesterday?"
"I-I can't say I know."

"Well, that's okay." Asai leans back in his chair, "She's as much of an employee as anyone else here. So it's perfectly fine if she comes over anytime."

I sigh in relief, at least he doesn't seem to want to hassle me on that anymore.

"But other than that. I did want to ask why your new daughter left yesterday in tear.s"
"Um... Um.."

"She was sad about not having a father, right?" He laughs, "Maybe I should adopt her! She can call me 'Dad' all she wants, and I'd simply find it the funniest thing!"
Immediately I speak up, "No, no! I- I don't think she would like that!"

"Oh, you never know." He smiles, "Masami already calls me 'Dad', so I guess if I moved in with you, we'd all be one happy family."

That strikes all the wrong nerves. I feel a combination of both disgust and irritation flood my senses.
"No. Absolutely not. In fact never joke about that again." It's hard, but I'm glaring at him right now.

"Pffft." He's laughing for real this time, "That look on your face was priceless!"
"..Goodbye Asai."

I practically SLAM the door behind me as I leave.

That man, that insinuation, just.
Ugh.
UGH.

>Cont.

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>>37764953
I shut the door of my office behind me and I slump down into my chair.

Ugh...
The very THOUGHT of that brings bile into the back of my throat. Asai moving in with me. And did-

I think about the implications of that just a little more. The more I do, the more I wish I hadn't.

-And did he seriously consider the possibility of MARRYING me and adopting my children. MY CHILDREN!?

That's just...
I think I'm going to be sick..
I.. It's another one of his twisted jokes, it has to be. But still-

Oh thank god my phone is ringing, please please let this be something that takes my mind off of work and my coworkers.

"H-hello?"
"MOM!" Masami's hyperactive voice beams in from the other side of the line. "KAORI'S MISSING!"

NO THIS ISN'T THE SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO DISTRACT ME!

"W-what?!"
"She's missing! She wasn't in bed when I woke up this morning and she's not at school either and no one has seen her and I'm scared what do I do!?"

I don't know, why are you asking me!?

Wait, wait, no I'm the adult here. I need to have a plan, I need to be the voice of reason!

>I'm coming over, stay there!
>Um! Try to look around, I'll send someone out to help look!
>I'll ask around Fortune, I guess!
>Other?!

>>37765186
>I'm coming over, stay there!

>>37765186
>Um! Try to look around, I'll send someone out to help look!
>I'll ask around Fortune, I guess!

>>37765186
Fuuuck.

Asai Told her he'd be her father. That's why he thought this was so damn funny. Kaori in her idiotic daddy issues loved it.

>>37765186
>>I'll ask around Fortune, I guess!

>>I'm coming over, stay there!

>>37765304
Probably not, but regardless she has to be somewhere.

>>37765186
>Um! Try to look around, I'll send someone out to help look!
>I'll ask around Fortune, I guess!

>Um! Try to look around! I'll send someone out to help look!
>And I'll ask around Fortune, I guess!

Writing!

Sorry we didn't spend more time with Izumi, I was hoping we would get a little farther with her POV.

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Um UM

UM UM UM UM UM

CALM DOWN!

"W-okay! Masami! Stay at school and I'll start searching around here, I'll send someone out to look even!"
There's silence on the other side of the line before a half-hearted "Okay."

Somehow I don't think she's going to listen to me.

--

"Izumi, calm down, please." My one and only friend in the whole building tries to console me.
"BUT!- BUT!- BUT-!"

I inhale sharply,
"KAORI'S
GONE."

"Izumi, she's disappeared like this before. This seems to be a reoccurring pattern."

T-that's true.
"B-but... That's true but."

I'm so glad Masami can't see me like this right now, she would never respect me again!

He sighs, "I'll go search for her from the air. You should do what you said you would do and stay here and ask around."

I- I want to, but.

"Those people are scary and they never tell me anything!"
"You're going to have to try." He says as he turns and leaves the room.

He's right, I'll have to try, I'll have to try anything. Something besides hyperventilating in the break room and-
-and shoving cupcakes in my face! No! I was doing so good resisting them too!

Okay.. Okay.. First thing is first... I need to ask Asai. I don't want to, but-
The door easily opens as I walk up to it.

-but now it seems like I have no choice. I walk in, trying to cover my reddened eyes and puffy face.
"Oh Empress! I was just about to call you!" Asai says, he appears to be looking at a monitor hanging from the wall. "Tell me, I can understand Masami yesterday, but can you explain why Kaori is trying to break in through the roof entrance?"

I look past him, toward the roof monitor. Sure enough, there's Kaori wearing her disguise costume with the mask pulled off. She tries ramming the door once again, to no avail.

"O-open the door! I'm going up there to see her!"
"No way." Asai says, "If I open that door, she comes in. I'm not doing that until I know why she's here."

But.. that means I can't get to her.. and...

"KAORI!"

>Thread End.

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Okay, that was a fun thread. Mom is really fun to write!

Anyway, thanks to everyone who participated today! Let me know what you thought of today's thread.

I'm glad we're at this part of the story

>>37766377
thanks for running, i'm not sure what you had originally planned, but it was really enjoyable to play as mom

sounds like she's younger than what she wants us to believe, it's cute

>>37766377
Thanks for running.

>>37766377
Thanks for running.