My Voice - Tsukishima Kei

7- An Unlikely Confession

"TSUKISHIMA-SAANNNNN!" Oka bursts into my office, scaring the living shit out of me.

"Geez. That scared me." I shiver.

"I have no idea what you just said but-!" He closes my door, rushing to the chair in front of my desk "You did really well winning over Company A! Now their partners would also like to make deals with us. This is great, right? Right??" He beams and a small chuckle leaves my lips.

He's probably excited because it makes him look good too.

"Okkun, we didn't get the deal because I'm good at business." I lean back in my seat, crossing my legs.

A confused look passes over his face and he tilts his head.

"We got the deal because business men are scum and are easily persuaded by a foreigner with 'a small waist but big ass and tits'. That's why." I grab my water bottle, taking a sip.

Oka's eyes widen and he looks at me for a moment before his cheeks turn red and he diverts his attention to the ground.

I don't say anything as I put my water bottle down, but I can tell he's conflicted over something.

"I don't...but I think you're really-" He cuts himself off, looking at me with hard eyes. "You are a great businesswoman. Your body has nothing to do with your intelligence nor your skills." He says, his voice strong and firm.

A small smile comes over my lips and I chuckle, leaning my head back and closing my eyes.

"I was always curvy, though when I came here I wasn't as fit. I wasn't fat either- according to western standards- but of course things here are different. Anyways, I guess my body 'came together' more when I started working out with my husband." A sigh leaves my lips and I cross my arms over my stomach. "In America, you hear things about places like Japan. Like how girls starve themselves to be paper thin, or how men always prefer girls with nothing on them. The skinnier and paler the better- that's what Japan looks like to some of us. And for the time I've been here it's true- to a certain extent. A lot of women are starting to not care about those things anymore, and men as well."

I open my eyes, pursing my lips and sitting up straight.

"So, that being said, I never really thought that someone of my skin color and body shape could be sexually harassed or seen as desirable in this country. But apparently I was wrong." My shoulders slump and I frown.

"Tsu-Tsukishima-San...were you...? Did one of those guys hurt you? When I left?" Oka gulps.

My eyes widen and I look at him. He has a mixture of worry and anger on his face.

"No! No, no. Nothing like that. Please don't worry." I quickly shake my head. "These things happened in the past. At that meeting I just heard those comments when they thought I wasn't around." I reassure him and he lets out a long breath.

"Regardless, I'm so sorry that happened to you. He bows his head and I bow mine as well. "But...to be honest, you're quite beautiful. So I think even if you were big or very thin, you'd still be hit on here. People think your mother is gorgeous as well! You both have very unique features."

Unique features huh? Is that what Kei thinks as well?

I think I look boring.

~

"Finals are creeping up on you guys, so make sure you all study hard! I think this class is wonderful- but I don't want to see any of your faces next year."

A chorus of fake laughs spread around the classroom as we all walk out.

I spot Tadashi outside my class and I quickly run over to him.