word count: 1800 || avg. reading time: 8 mins.
pairing: boss!Tsukki x chubby!Reader
genre: fluff with a smidge of suggestion
warnings: implied suggestiveness
You turned to your bag on the chair to fish out the lint roller. Letting the sticky paper pick up any dust from the fabric, you hoped it would take some of your nervousness with it. Yesterday morning, when you just arrived at the office, deeply engrossed in a little gossip session with your office bestie and cold fingers wrapped around the comforting warmth of your to-go coffee, you were interrupted mid-sentence by your boss.
"You're coming to dinner with me tomorrow night. We'll leave in the morning and meet the investors in Tokyo."
The big invisible question mark on your face prompted him mercifully to elaborate, "No need to look confused.", he said coolly, "You know the project better than anyone, plus you smile well and talk a lot so they'll be easier to negotiate with."
As he walked away, he said he'd send an email with the details and you let out a sigh. Technically, you had a date tonight and had kind of been looking forward to it. The guy wasn't a soulmate by any means, but it would be a third date and, well, you had prepared for it - shaved your legs, front back, and even above the knee. But now you were stuck on a Friday night having to sit next to Mr. Tsukishima, who, no matter how handsome, was not exactly known for being good company.
Once your dress was smoothed out, lipstick refreshed, and hair sort of where it was supposed to be, you headed down to the lobby. The hotel Mr. Tsukishima had chosen was as elegant as it could be. Staff members in crisply pressed uniforms and seemingly permanent professional smiles greeted every passing guest with a deep bow. You were directed to the hotel's restaurant entrance just past two giant vases with exotic-looking plants. The adjacent room, although big enough to fit your entire apartment three times over, didn't feel overwhelming. The low lighting and intentionally scattered tables together with the low sounds of a piano expertly played on a small podium in one corner, made the air feel calm and intimate, not exactly what you pictured for a business dinner, but you were sure Mr. Tsukishima had his reasons.
You spotted his blonde hair at a table by the window front with a view of the hotel's water feature in the courtyard. He took one glance at you, furrowed his brow, and then went back to looking out the window.
"They're late.", he noted as you sat down.
You checked your watch. Technically they still had another 15 minutes but Mr. Tsukishima deemed anything as tardiness that didn't run according to his expectations.
"Well, no point in wasting your efforts." He raised a hand with elegant annoyance to get the attention of a waiter and asked for the wine list.
Once a bottle of red was placed on the table, Mr. Tsukishima seemed to remember your existence. "Care to join me?"
"Uhm, yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
"No need to thank me. This is a business expense."
You weren't sure if the light played tricks on you but you could have sworn there was a twinkle in his eyes and a twitch of a smile when he said it.
Not wanting to be tipsy by the time the investors would arrive, you paced yourself, only sipping from the undoubtedly expensive wine. Mr. Tsukishima didn't appear to care, he was already pouring a second glass for himself.
As he leaned back slightly in his chair, he closed his eyes for a moment and, with a theatrical sigh you had never heard from him before, he said, "I haven't been stood up in quite some time." Was he… did he just make a joke?
"I can't believe anyone would ever stand you up, sir."
He gave a hollow chuckle and raised his glass to his lips.
"Have I ever been stood up?"
He nodded as if just making casual conversation.
"Should've known. No one would be dumb enough to do that."
"Excuse me?", you asked feebly, unsure how to navigate this completely new side of your boss.
"You're seeing someone right now, aren't you?", once again your surprised expression made him add, "I overheard you talk about it in the elevator the other day."
"Oh, yes, sir. Well, kinda. Not really."
He cocked a curious brow. No way he was actually interested in talking about this. He probably just wanted to kill time before the investors got here, so you went on, "There is someone I am kinda sorta dating. But it's nothing, really.", you chuckled nervously, "I don't even know his last name yet. We've only been on two dates so far. Last night was actually supposed to be our third one, but I had to reschedule because we had to leave so early today."
Mr. Tsukishima's brows briefly knitted together and then he took another sip. "What's he look like?"
This was the most absurd conversation you ever had with a superior. But alright. You dug out your phone from your purse and after a few taps turned the screen to show him a picture from the guy's dating profile.
Mr. Tsukishima clicked his tongue.
"What?", you asked, a little alarmed, and turned the phone back around to you to check if you saw the same picture.
"Nothing, I just - guys with orange hair are a pain in the ass. Trust me. - There was this kid in high school who made my life hell."
Your eyes widened. Oh no… You had always thought Mr. Tsukishima looked kind of like a nerd but this proved it. He was probably picked on in high school by an orange-haired bully! And now you had accidentally reminded him of these painful memories!
Without thinking you reached over the table to lay your hand on his, eyes full of understanding and worry, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Tsukishima. I know exactly how it feels." Your free hand vaguely gestured to your chubby figure for needless emphasis, "Bullies are the worst, but look at you now! CEO of a whole company and at your age! That's so impressive and I guarantee that that jerk isn't doing half as well as you! Someone like that won't accomplish much. These are the kinds of people who peak in high school and take it out on everyone else. But he's gone now. And you're here. And he can't get to you anymore."
Mr. Tsukishima looked down at your hand on his, hesitated, probably because it was so hard for him to speak about it, but after he swallowed, he said flatly, "Yeah, I'm glad to be rid of him."
You gave him a bright smile and a squeeze with your hand and accepted the menu the waiter had brought over. The meeting was supposed to start 20 minutes ago but with no one in sight, you two agreed to order.
To be honest, you couldn't even remember the last time you had this much fun at a company dinner. With no investors to schmooze, the conversation continued about things such as high school clubs, hobbies and interests, down to books and movies. The last thing you expected was for Mr. Tsukishima, Kei as he had offered, to be such an attentive and interested listener. In the office, he was usually cold and businesslike which was to be expected, but even during office Christmas parties or mandatory corporate team events he barely said more than a few words to people. He was also, admittedly, quite smooth at slipping in little compliments here and there throughout the night, about your skills at work, your social talents, and even your dress. That last one was murmured into a mouthful of roasted potatoes so you weren't sure if you heard it correctly but you blushed nonetheless. Spending a Friday night with a young attractive CEO wasn't so bad after all.
You let out a long happy sigh when the elevator doors closed and you made your ascent, "That was such a good dinner."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.", Kei nodded as he loosened his tie, opening the top two buttons of his shirt.
"Wonder what held up the clients, though. And to not even call to cancel, quite rude.", you thought out loud, "Too bad that this trip was for nothing."
"I wouldn't say nothing.", Kei replied and leaned his back against the wood paneling of the elevator, "We got to know each other. That's gotta count for something."
A soft ding announced the arrival on your floor and you slowly walked to your door. This almost felt like a date. The thought made you blush again and you were pretty sure you even giggled out loud, judging by Kei's inquiring eyes.
Once at your door, you turned to him, "This is me. I really had a lot of fun tonight. Thank you, Mr. Tsukishima."
"Kei.", he corrected, "And the pleasure was all mine, y/n."
Your fingers turned the keycard to the room. This is not a date, you reminded yourself. He's just being nice. But he's so handsome and sweet. Would it be totally out of line if you…
You stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Sort of. You missed it slightly, aim a little off from the wine, and got his jaw instead.
Kei tensed and met your eyes, searching something.
He took half a step closer, towering over you, and leaned down a tiny bit before catching himself.
With a life of its own, your right hand went to grab the end of his tie and tugged it, forcing Kei closer and you closed your eyes when your lips met his. Tall, handsome, and a great kisser. After a few blind grabs, you opened the door behind you and pulled him inside.
On Monday morning you met him in the elevator first thing and were glad when his cheeks turned the same shade of pink as his tie.
More people piled in and although they gave the CEO plenty of space, Kei brushed his fingers against yours.
When you reached your floor he said goodbye and went into his office, while you floated to your desk, head spinning from the tingling in your fingers, and the lingering feeling of pleasure from the weekend. He really was quite a talented man.
"Uhm, hey.", you greeted his secretary as soon as she arrived, "Do you know anything about why the investors didn't show for the meeting on Friday?"
The secretary frowned and checked her calendar.
"There was nothing scheduled for Friday.", she said, "You must have mixed up the dates."
Your eyes went to Kei's office and you just caught him looking away, pretending to be busy.
a/n: thank you to the anon who requested this and a massive shoutout to my friend who has never seen a single bit of Haikyuu but brainstormed with me over dinner nonetheless 🫶🏻
