Even though I'm a tease, at least I'm good about it. I don't keep you waiting that long :)

Another theme story, where the theme is "Insanity".

If there are mistakes that you spot, let me know. I was rushing to get this out since I mentioned it to begin with~

Summer's Heat

Prologue

It was a hot summer's evening in the metropolis of Tokyo. Despite the setting of the sun, there was little relief as the city was trapped under a blanket of sweltering heat. The only release from the heat's claim was to hide at home or in buildings with the air conditioning on at full blast. Unfortunately, in one building, its sole occupant did not find such comforts.

Sitting at her desk in the Section 4 office of Foreign Affairs, Misaki grumbled under her breath regarding her current work conditions. Of all days, when it seemed like she had the most work to complete, the air conditioning system in the building was down. It wouldn't be until the next day that someone came in to fix it, but she didn't have time to waste. There was work to be completed today.

"Why do I always have to have all these unnecessary distractions - especially when I'm the busiest?"

Using the back of her hand, she wiped away the sheen of perspiration that had formed on her forehead. With a flick of her wrist, she felt the droplets fall away to the floor. It was probably hotter in the room than it was outside as they had been collecting heat from the summer rays all morning. There was nowhere for it to escape either.

Everyone else had scampered off at the earliest possible moment, but not her. She was a trooper; a team leader; a workaholic. The pile of paperwork on her desktop called out to her, beckoning for her to come and complete it. She couldn't help it. There was a deep sense of satisfaction when she put aside one more finished report.

Even so, the heat was starting to become unbearable. She was starting to understand how a chicken must feel, if it were alive, when it was being baked in an oven. It felt like a never-ending sauna and the situation was starting to get to her. Her work attire did not help the situation as she was attired in her usual dress suit.

That morning, she had briefly contemplated on wearing a different outfit. After all, the weather reports had warned of a weeklong heat wave, potentially bringing temperatures higher than current records. The thought had lingered for but a moment as she refused to forsake her professionalism in pursuit of comfort.

I guess I could take off one layer, she thought to herself, since no one is here anyways...

Doing just that, she carefully extracted herself from her blazer and placed it on the back of her chair. For good measure, she went to the water station inside their office to grab a drink. It wouldn't do to become dehydrated and pass out at her desk. Those were always one of the first warnings when they had these high temperatures - to drink plenty of fluids.

The first cup went down her throat quickly as she greedily swallowed every drop, a brief relief for her parched throat. It wasn't cold enough, but it wasn't hot either as the water system managed to cool it down somehow. She didn't bother to contemplate on the inner workings of the water dispenser. Instead, she quickly swallowed another three cups before taking the fifth one to her desk.

"There. That's better," she said to herself as she settled down to work again.

It was half an hour later that she looked up from her work again. The drops of sweat dripping onto her papers were distracting and also disgusting... Sighing softly, she wiped at her forehead again. Another trip to the water dispenser was necessary, but even so, it couldn't help her completely. Her own sweat had started to soak into her blouse and it was uncomfortable, the way it was stuck to her back.

Returning to her desk, she glanced around to find that everyone else's computers were powered off. For good measure, she checked the time on the monitor. Well into the evening, she figured no one would show up - not until tomorrow. Even then, they would probably show up late, hoping that the A/C was fixed by the time they arrived. Finally, glancing down at her blouse, she saw that it was starting to take on a transparency to its appearance.

"Oh what the hell..." she murmured as she started to unbutton it.

It wasn't like anyone would see her. Not to mention, her bra was already visible from the way her blouse clung to her skin. The biggest difference was that she didn't have to be irked by the feel of it against her body. It would be much easier to work in comfort. She didn't have time to waste in running home to change and coming back. The blouse had to be peeled away and she tossed it onto the back of her chair as well.

With another sip of water, she retook her seat and started up her work again. There were Contractors to catch and reports to finish. She didn't waste another thought on her current state of dress. Her pen flew across the page as her eyes scanned each detail that she outlined.

She managed to make it through another report before the temperature started getting to her again. Another trip to the water station was made and she realized that it was starting to run low. Glancing at the pile of papers on her desk, she estimated that there were still half a dozen left to examine.

Her gaze went from the pile of papers to her clothes on the back of her chair to the nearly empty water container and finally to the clothes still on her body. Sipping at the cup of water in her hand, she needed to make up her mind on what to do. At this rate, she wouldn't last until she finished everything.

"Oh what the hell..." she murmured for the second time that evening.

Finishing off the rest of the cup, she refilled it and headed to her desk. After placing the filled cup on her desktop, she promptly stripped out of her shoes, socks and pants. Not even bothering to pick them up, she kicked them under the desk as she resettled herself on her chair.

As she picked up her pen, a giggle escaped her lips as she couldn't believe that she was even doing this... She didn't even like to be naked at home; the only time when she was about to take a shower. Now she was half naked in a public location and not just any location, but at work...

Another giggle escaped and she felt a sense of boldness coursing through her veins. If Kanami saw her now... She would be so proud, yet probably a little appalled at the same time. Her friend always said she was a bit of a prude. Even so, no one could say that about her now; sitting at her desk working in only her bra and panties.

Humming to herself happily for taking a risk, Misaki turned back to her work. It was understandable. The only way to relieve the heat stress was to strip since the air conditioning wasn't working. She didn't want to drink the rest of the water. It would take her time to replace it, time that she didn't have to waste. It was so much easier to step out of her clothing.

She was just about back in her groove when something unexpected happened. There was a sound of a creak to her right. It seemed like time had slowed to a crawl as she watched the knob on the door turning... And moments later, the door opened to reveal her sudden visitor...

A/N: Ahaha~ At this point, I can see Dear4Life complaining even more. Can't take the tease out of me completely ^_~ And you probably think I'm worse of one at this point in time... XD