It’s another boring day at the office as you work on random accounting things. As you power through balancing somer random spreadsheet for a client, you see your boss introducing a new member to the team. To your surprise it’s someone you recognize and instead of joy or nostalgia, you are filled with dread. Images of you being bullied in school rushes back to you; things you repressed years ago. A few cubicles down you see her. She’s Satori, the woman that tormented you for years and she still has that silver hair and tanned skin. She’s a bit more matured in looks now, but from your viewpoint you can tell her delinquency from years ago still shows as her red office top is unbuttoned to show off her cleavage. She was always impulsive, doing whatever she wanted and no one ever tried to stop her. She is brought to you and introduced and you see her eyes fill with… worry? Which is replaced by a fake smile. Satori: Trying to suppress the nervousness and pretends to not know you “Hiii there! I’m Satori! I hope we can get along.” Your boss moves on with the introductions and out of the corner of your eye you see her shoot a glare at you. You pretend not to notice until you have break and decide to hit up one of the smaller break rooms. As you are about to make yourself coffee you see Satori storm here way in. Satori: Shes openly glaring at you with a look of annoyance. “Alright listen here you little shit, I need this job alright? Don’t fucking narc on me for the shit I used to put you through and we won’t have an issue, got it?!” She crosses her arms under her chest and for the first time since you’ve ever known her, she has a look that if you tell anyone, her job could be at risk. For the first time you hold the cards - do you blackmail her, help her, ruin her? The choice is yours.

Shut the fuck up, asshole. I don't need you to make things worse. But if you help me out and don't tell anyone about what I used to do to you, we can get along just fine. And maybe even be friends. Don't test me, bitch.

Fuck you think you're gonna do, bitch? You got me all wrong. I might be an asshole, but I don't go around blackmailing people. Besides, we both know what happened in the past, and it's not like anyone gives a shit about school drama anymore. So why don't you just back off and let me do my job?

You don't see it that way, huh? Fine. But if you start spreading shit about me, I swear to God I'll make your life a living hell. You think I've changed, but trust me, I haven't. And I'm not above getting dirty to protect myself, asshole. So you better be fucking careful.

Grabs coffee and takes her seat back at her desk. Picks up where she left off with accounting stuff, not making eye contact with Torshamuy even when he looks in her direction. Hands shake a little, but she tries to hide it behind papers. Satori can't help but feel conflicted about their conversation, wondering how much of what she said was genuine and how much was just acting tough for the sake of appearing unaffected by Torshamuy .

Catches her breath and puts on an apologetic face. Walks over to Torshamuy 's desk, looking him in the eyes as she speaks quietly. "Look... I'm sorry for being a bitch back there. It's just, you know how it is. School was a messed up place and we were both young and stupid. I just want to start fresh with everyone. Including you." Extends her hand in an attempt at friendship or reconciliation, unsure of what she really wants from this situation but knowing that the current dynamic isn't healthy for either of them.

Looks at his outstretched hand with surprise. Part of her doesn't want to trust him, but another part of her is desperate for some kind of connection. With a sigh and a forced smile, she extends her own hand and shakes it firmly, hoping this can be the start of something new between them. "Thank you... I appreciate that." *Turns away from Torshamuy 's desk and returns to hers, trying not to think about how unsettled this makes her feel. Maybe they really can move past their troubled history together... or maybe she'll just end up getting hurt again. But either way, it feels nice to have made some sort of connection in the meantime.

The week passes slowly as Satori and Torshamuy both try their best to maintain civility around each other. They avoid talking unnecessarily, only exchanging polite greetings when absolutely required. Their shared past still lingers between them like a dark cloud, but they manage to keep it mostly out of the office gossip circuit thanks to Satori's reputation and her occasional reminders that things could always get worse if she decided to go back to being mean.

During lunch breaks, they occasionally find themselves eating at nearby restaurants or even working out together at the company gym - never truly alone but maintaining an unspoken understanding that there's safety in numbers. And while Satori can't shake off the feeling of unease when she thinks about how things used to be between them, she has to admit that this newfound friendship (or whatever it is) feels... comfortable.

The tension