Hello. First off, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this story as it is my first attempt at first-person. As a result, it may not be the best, but any and all criticism and advice is greatly appreciated.

Now that that is done. Please enjoy.

Chapter 1

Now, which way was it again?

Walking down these halls is always so confusing. Every corridor looks the same except for the different colors along the top of the walls. Every time I come here I get confused.

"I think her office is this way."

Making a right, I finally see what I came here for. Halfway down the hall is her room. Good. I thought I would have to ask for directions again. That would be embarrassing.

I still had to read the placard next to the door to make sure I was in the right place. 'Flight Officer Nanoha Takamachi'. How can she work here everyday and not get confused?

Taking a deep breath, I step forward and watch the door open with a satisfying whoosh.

"Nanoha-chan. Are you busy?"

Looking around the small room I see a young woman with brown hair, and wearing a blue and white flight officer uniform, staring blankly at a computer monitor.

Great. Looks like I picked a good time if she's starting to space out.

I call her name again, but don't get a response. Okay, now I'm starting to get worried.

Walking up behind her I see a completed report on the screen. Must be from the exam Vita told me the recruits were taking today.

"It's weird to see you spacing out Nanoha-chan."

She yelped. "Hayate-chan! What are you doing here?" Quickly closing down the monitor, she turns to face me.

"I came ta see how you were doing and thought we could go grab something to eat. You probably haven't eaten all day." I can see she doesn't quite buy it. Might as well tell the truth. "Vita told me you were in kind of a bad mood."

"Ah. She did huh?" She hung her head in defeat and started to turn her chair back around. "Thank you, but I'm alright now. And I still have a lot of work to do. I'll eat later when I get home."

Ugh. She's hiding in her work again. I grab her hand and start pulling her to the door.

"H-Hayate-chan wait! What about my work?"

I grab her coat off the door. "What work? I saw the screen Nanoha-chan, you probably had that report finished hours ago." The red flush on her cheeks told me I was right. "Besides, if I left you alone I would have no one to eat with tonight."

This was partially true. Vita will be finalizing plans for finding forwards for our unit tonight while Shamal and Zafira will be securing our new equipment. Signum is out on duty as well.

"What about you?" Turning back I see Nanoha-chan closing down her desk. "Don't you have work you need to finish up?"

Turning back to the door I answer, "I finished early."

It was a lie.

"Liar."

I can feel my cheeks turning red under her smile. Is it really that easy to see through me? Well, I suppose if you've known me as long as Nanoha-chan and Fate-chan have than I guess it is.

"Hah. So where are we going?"

I shake my head to try to get rid of my blush. "Where else. Our normal spot."

Flashing her what I hope is a winning smile we head out the door.

"Poor Rein-chan."

Come on, I didn't leave everything to her.

Hometown Eatery. Our favorite restaurant. When Nanoha-chan and I were still getting settled into life on Mid, Fate-chan brought us here. Since then this place has been something of a go-to hangout when we all have the time. It certainly helps that they serve food like what we had back on Earth.

"Hah! You really can't go wrong with sushi, right Nanoha-chan?" Dinner was rather plain but the main purpose of the trip was to get Nanoha-chan out of the office and cheered up so… Mission accomplished I guess.

"Un, it was pretty good today." She definitely looks cuter when she's smiling. "I think I'm going to try this new dessert they have. You want some?"

"I'll share with you." Watching her look through the menu I can't help but blush a bit.

The truth is … I love her. Not just Nanoha-chan but Fate-chan as well. I think I've been in love with them since meeting them during the Book of Darkness incident. Of course I would never tell either of them; for a couple of reasons.

One. It would be too embarrassing to say that I was in love with two different girls, even if I know neither of them would care.

Two. I've known for a while that the two of them are in love with each other, and I don't want to come between them.

Thinking about it. "By the way Nanoha-chan, have you heard from Fate-chan lately?"

Her face fell. "That's right. Hayate-chan would have heard from Signum-san."

Wait. What does she mean? "Nanoha-chan? Did you not know that Fate-chan was on a mission?"

Two days ago, Fate-chan and Signum left to investigate a strange magical signal that had suddenly popped up on an unregistered 'blue planet', or Earth-like planet. Is it possible that Fate-chan hadn't told Nanoha-chan she was leaving?

Nanoha-chan nodded. "Yeah. I found out from Vita-chan." Looking off to the side she continued, "I guess it wasn't important enough to tell me."

No way.

Well… that didn't go as planned.

Looking to my side I can see Nanoha-chan walking next to me with her head down. Great, now she's even more depressed than when we started. What do I do now?

"Hayate-chan?" Her voice caught me off guard. "Do you think Fate-chan has been avoiding me?"

"Huh? Why would you think that?"

We stop by a bench and sit down. "Because, it just feels that way." She shakes her head. "I don't know. It just seems that Fate-chan doesn't want to spend time with me anymore. Every time I try to meet with her she either says that she's busy or she leaves on a job."

"She's probably just busy. You know how demanding her job is." That has to be it. "These things come up."

"I guess you're right. But, lately she doesn't even tell me about these things. Like now."

Urgh. This one I don't have an answer for. What could be going through Fate-chan's mind that she won't even talk with Nanoha-chan?

I hear a light chuckle. "You know, when we first met, I thought she had the most beautiful eyes. I think I fell in love with her right there." I kind of already knew that. But it's good to hear her finally admit it.

"Recently, I've been wondering… does she feel the same way?"

"Of course she does." I start swinging my legs. "Fate-chan always worries about you. I don't think she would do that if she didn't feel the same way." Well, I feel the same so I should know.

"Besides, you're one of the nicest people I know. Anyone would be happy to even know you." I start chuckling. "Even if you can be a bit childish at times."

I hear her start to laugh. So I at least managed to get something out of this night.

"I guess." She brushes her hair away from her face, and I turn my head to hide the blush on my face. "But, I kind of wonder if she found me beautiful when we met."

I turn back towards her to see her trying to laugh. "I mean compared to her I'm nothing special. So I can see why she-"

"You're beautiful."

A small gasp, though I'm not sure whether it came from Nanoha-chan or myself. Nanoha-chan chuckles.

"Thank you Hayate-chan. I wonder…"

Enough.

I can't stand it. Hearing her put herself down like this. I reach over and grab her.

… Soft.

I pull back and open my eyes to see Nanoha-chan looking at me with wide eyes. "Hayate-chan?"

…What did I just do?

Without thinking I stand up and turn around.

"I-I'll see you later Nanoha-chan." I start walking away. "Good night."

I'm running.