~xX*Xx~
Chapter 1
"I love you but..."
~Xx*xX~
Lunch break.
A time when one should relax and eat a meal so one would last for the rest of the day. Something that one normally have once the clock strike 12 but for Nanoha, lunch break could only be enjoyed at exactly 3 p.m.
Nanoha sighed tiredly as she walked slightly behind her two friends. She watched them talk animatedly and occasionally glance back at her to include her into the conversation. Nanoha felt bad but she only gave them curt reply because right now, she wasn't really in a mood to chat. After spending such a long time of sitting inside of different classrooms, listening to different teachers and using her exhausted brain, anyone won't feel like talking at all... or at least that was what she kept telling herself when she acted this way towards her friends. It was really a mood swings that she can't get rid off every time these days of the week comes. But deep down, Nanoha hope that her friends would understand her current mood and by the cheerful smiles they gave her, Nanoha knew that she was lucky to have such great friends.
After a short while of walking, the three friends were already near their favorite eatery right next to their university. Somehow, as Nanoha saw the small eatery at the distance, Nanoha can feel tears stinging her eyes and of course her painfully empty stomach growl at the sight. Right now, Nanoha didn't care anymore if her rational mind keep telling her how silly it is to look forward that much to eat something because at this point, she could only listen to what her stomach says. Just thinking about ordering her favorite dish made her mouth watered and with a burst of energy she didn't thought she still have, Nanoha widen her strides and drag her friends so that the chef could finally get their order and cook their food.
Nanoha can't help but think back to the time before she chose the subjects for the 3rd semester and wonder what made her decide to pick a very hectic schedule that made her suffer today. Once again, she could only curse inwardly when her brain gave her the usual answer. From 7 in the morning up to this time, she had gone through her routine once again of switching classes to attend to her different subjects or what they called "courses" without a single break in between. Nanoha had to admit, it was really hard to follow this kind of schedule that would repeat 3 times a week but to Nanoha's defense, she needed to squeeze a lot of courses to make sure to graduate next year. The last year that she was supposed to spend at this university.
Nanoha only made it through more than half her schedule for the day and she already feel so tired and hungry that when the time comes that she could finally sit and eat her freshly cook chicken teriyaki, no one could blame her if she scarfed it down like a person who didn't had a good meal for days.
"Woah! Nanoha, slow down. No one will steal your food from you" Hayate exclaimed, looking quite horrified. She could already guess that Nanoha would surely choke on her food any seconds now and sure enough, after her friend shove another spoonful into her mouth, Nanoha suddenly coughed violently.
Hayate hurriedly pat her back while Suzuka quickly hand over her glass of water when Nanoha blindly reach out for it.
After she emptied her glass of water, Nanoha breathe a sigh of relief then laughed awkwardly when some customers glance weirdly at her. She thanked her friends then scoop her food once again but slower this time.
Hayate huffed indignantly as she shifted her gaze at the girl sitting right next to her. "Is something wrong, Nanoha?"
Nanoha raised an eyebrow before she put her spoon down and look at her friend straight into her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Hayate eyed her suspiciously. It was only for a moment but she definitely saw her friend flinch at her question. "You are definitely hiding something from me. I know you. You never eat like that before"
"Don't be such a worrywart, Hayate. The food was just so delicious!" Nanoha smiled brightly and gave two thumbs up to the chef when she saw him glance her way. The chef smiled before he went back to preparing foods again.
"Then tell me, why are you averting your gaze now?" Hayate slightly raise her voice when her friend went back to eat her food. Angry that Nanoha was ignoring her.
Nanoha rolled her eyes and let out a breath in exasperation. "Can you blame me? You're staring at me way too long. It's creeping me out"
Hayate frowned and heavily put her hand on Nanoha's shoulder, forcing her to look straight at her friend's amuse blue eyes. Nanoha inwardly groaned. "I've known you since we're still in diapers, Nanoha. You always can't stand the way I stare at you when you lie to me!"
Nanoha gave her friend an incredulous look. "What are you talking about? We only known each other since 3rd grade and it's you that can't look into my eyes when you lie"
Hayate innocently tilted her head to the side before she blinked twice. "Eh, really?"
Nanoha heard something snap inside her and she was about to punish her friend for making fun of her when Suzuka cleared her throat.
"Girls. As funny at it is to watch you, you two are actually attracting unwanted attentions" Suzuka motion to the other customers of the eatery. Some was mumbling to themselves then glance at them every few seconds while others looked like they are about ready to complain and scold them on the ruckus they made.
Nanoha and Hayate could only gulp nervously and tried to sink further into their seat in embarrassment.
"So, are you bothered about something Nanoha-chan?" Nanoha swiftly glance at her friend and could only gape at her like a fish out of water. She didn't expect that Suzuka would ask the same question.
Suzuka gently hold Nanoha's hand, eyes filled with worry. "Nanoha-chan, we are your friends. You know that you can always tell us anything, right?"
Nanoha bit her lower lip. If there was someone she can't say no to it was Suzuka. Her friend has a way with words and Nanoha would always find herself giving in. She tried her best to keep her mouth shut but Suzuka's pleading gaze made it hard for her so eventually she sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine! I will tell you... I guess it's time I ask for some advice anyway" Nanoha mumbled the last part and let some insecurities she was holding in finally show on her face.
Suzuka happily clasped her hand together. Her eyes twinkled with glee as she glanced at Hayate over Nanoha's shoulder. "Great! You heard it right Hayate-chan?"
Hayate groaned and slump her back at her seat. "I know. Don't worry, I'll buy it!"
"What are you two-" Nanoha paused and glance at Hayate then at Suzuka then back at Hayate. Her eyes went wide in realization. "You two are betting about me? Ugh, I can't believe you guys!" Nanoha pouted as she crossed her arms together.
Suzuka wince and felt guilty when Nanoha look quite angry. "I'm sorry Nanoha-chan. It was my idea. We've notice that you are feeling down for a week or so now and we figured that it might be a serious problem so we decided to confront you this way, hoping that it might lighten your mood when you finally talk it out with us."
"For a week now?" Nanoha echoed dumbly. She thought she did a good job hiding her negative emotions lately but since her friends notice it, only one thing came to mind: Was she that easy to read?
"You probably thought you are acting normal but lately you have been sighing wistfully and I guess what really gave you away is that you refuse to use your phone in front of us for more than a week now even though we are on break" Hayate held up her hand when Nanoha was about to protest. "Yeah, yeah. I know that you will say that you still answer some calls and text in front of us but what I'm talking about is your current obsession" Nanoha's heart thump when Hayate purposely use that word. It's the word she usually used when she tried to tease her when she used their break to talk to a certain someone instead of spending time with her friends.
Someone that she met online.
Someone that become important to her.
An unpleasant feeling filled her stomach and Nanoha unconsciously shifted her gaze at her bag where she put her phone. As she struggled to control the sudden urge to go check her phone for messages, Nanoha wondered if that person was worried that she suddenly stops messaging or if that person is still waiting for an answer.
"Oy, Nanoha. Snap out of it!" Hayate wave her hand in front of her face.
"S-sorry"
Suzuka lean closer to Nanoha and with a soft voice she asked, "Are you having a lovers quarrel with Fate-chan?"
Nanoha found herself coughing at the unexpected question. She grabbed Hayate's wintermelon shake and blatantly ignore her shout of complain and immediately take huge gulps but she soon put the cup back on the table when a surge of brain freeze assaulted her head as a result of carelessly drinking it that fast.
Hayate didn't restrain herself from laughing out loud at her friend's predicament. She even stuck out her tongue and said "Serves you right" when Nanoha glared daggers at her.
Once the pain finally subsides, Nanoha look at Suzuka with a blush on her face. "Fate-chan and I aren't like that… we are just friends" she admitted with a disappointed frown dawning on her face.
"Still?" Hayate snorted. "I'm surprise. You guys been exchanging sweet messages to each other for months now that you make it look as if Suzuka and I are just friends"
Nanoha timidly watched Suzuka nodded in agreement before she stared at her half eaten food. She's never been in a relationship before so she never considered that she was acting sweet with Fate. She always thought that their conversation was a pretty normal casual talk with just the occasional teasing here and there but now that she thinks about it, Isn't their teasing kind of playful for friends that its almost…flirty? "Omg! I never thought about it that way before" Nanoha sighed. "But it doesn't matter anymore because we kind of stop talking to each other"
Suzuka lightly pat Nanoha's shoulder "What did you guys fight about?"
"Well…" Nanoha bit her lower lip, contemplating where she should start explaining.
Hayate quietly glance at Nanoha's troubled face before she shifted her gaze at the nearby table, she could clearly see that the two guys sitting there was eavesdropping on their conversation. "This sound serious" Hayate said, her voice void of her usual playful tone. "We shouldn't talk about it here. Let's finish our food and talk about it later at the usual place" Hayate finish and gave a quick cold glare at the two guys who nervously shuffled in their seats.
Nanoha and Suzuka quizzically stared at Hayate before they look at each other and went back to eating their own food. Hayate rarely act serious but when she does they never dare question it.
(= v = )
After eating, they immediately went back to the university to their usual place at the left corner of their 4th floor hallway. A lone two-seater sofa was put there for the students to use and the trio have long since taken this corner as their very own hangout place… well, at least when there was no one there to occupy the space before them. Hayate hurriedly approach the sofa and ungracefully plop down on it like she usually does.
"Finally, a place we could relax" Hayate yawned as she leaned back at the two-seater sofa. "This makes me feel sleepy" she mumbled as a strong gust of wind fluttered through the open window right behind the sofa. The wind felt so nice that it made it hard for her to keep her eyes open.
Suzuka stood right in front of her and pinch Hayate's nose. "Don't you dare sleep or we won't wake you up when it's time for the next class" Hayate flash a pleading eyes at Suzuka but the girl's brows just shot up and gave her a lopsided smile.
Nanoha plop down right next to Hayate and half-heartedly apologize when she accidentally sat on her friend's hand. "Stop acting cute Hayate because it won't work. It so hard to wake you up once you fallen asleep that even if the fire alarm went off you most likely still sleep here like a baby"
Hayate squinted her eyes as she playfully sling her arm over Nanoha's shoulder. The brunette haired girl can't help but laugh when Hayate put her in a loose headlock. "I bet you want to sleep too. You're very welcome to join me my idiot friend"
Nanoha wiggle her way out of Hayate's arm before she shoved her arm back to her side. "No, thank you. The last time I agree with you my class schedule became a mess and now I need to go through a hectic schedule just so I could graduate on time"
Hayate grinned. "But following the curriculum schedule is so boring. Come on, it's not like I only mess up. You have to agree that I chose the best electives and even avoided the worst teachers for each subjects so far"
"Oh. If I recall correctly that's the only thing you did right" Suzuka said in her most serious tone.
Hayate harrumph and lift her chin indignantly while she mumbled to herself that no one appreciates the way she tried to make up to her mistake.
Suzuka and Nanoha look at each other and giggled.
"We are just kidding, sweetie. Stop pouting" Suzuka kiss Hayate's cheek hoping it would remove the pout on her lips.
"How about you give me a proper kiss and I might just stop pouting?" Hayate ask shamelessly as she hold Suzuka's hand and run her thumb over her knuckles.
"Ugh, go flirt somewhere else you two" Nanoha rolled her eyes when she noticed the weird atmosphere between the couple.
Hayate laughed behind her hand. "Oops. I forgot that we have someone here that could only handle PG-13. Why don't you just close your eyes for a few seconds? It would be over before you know it"
"Hilarious" Nanoha deadpanned.
Suzuka shot Hayate a disapproving look and lightly hit her shoulder. "Stop teasing her Hayate-chan besides we need to talk about Nanoha-chan's problem remember?"
Nanoha visibly paled and Hayate can't stop grinning from ear to ear that Nanoha look like she wanted to run away now that the conversation focus on her.
"Oh, I'm glad you remind me. I didn't notice that Nanoha is so eager to tell us her love troubles. Sorry for making you wait" Hayate tease once again as she winked and nudged the brunette haired girl's shoulder.
Suzuka sighed, already giving up about reprimanding her girlfriend. She walked to the other corner of the sofa and apologize for her girlfriend's behavior before she finally took her seat.
The three friends tried to squeeze themselves into the small sofa. Though they usually did this, Nanoha felt so suffocated sitting here between her friends. Somehow, she was having second thoughts about opening up to her friends even though she knew that there was no escaping this situation.
"So what did you guys fight about?" Hayate gasped. "Don't tell me... did she finally show you how she looks like? Wait, Now that I think about it, you always talk about her but you never show us what she look like. Is she ugly? Is that why you stop talking to her?!"
"What are you talking about? Fate-chan is the most beautiful girl I ever...saw. What's with your face?" Nanoha suspiciously squinted her eyes as she stared at Hayate's Cheshire like smile.
"You make it sound like she is as beautiful as a goddess but you know, I can't believe it until I see some proof~" Hayate said in her most irritating cutesy voice. A tone she usually use to force Nanoha to give her what she wanted.
Nanoha rolled her eyes and quickly open her bag to get her phone. After some time of searching, she gave her phone to her friend. Hayate stared at the phone's screen and her jaw immediately dropped. "Is this Fate-chan?! What the heck she's like a model! Wow, her burgundy eyes looks perfect for her blonde hair and that body-"
Nanoha groaned and forcefully grab her phone back from Hayate's hand. "Are you crazy?! It's her hair that compliments her eyes! Not the other way around"
"Yeesh, calm down it's the same thing! The point here is as much as I hate to admit it, this American girl looks perfect!" Hayate's expression immediately turn glum as she pat Nanoha's shoulder. "Nanoha… you should have told me sooner"
Nanoha eyed her skeptically when Hayate gave her a pitying look. "If you're having troubles on capturing this girl's heart you should have told me sooner! I could give you some tips-"
Nanoha sighed exasperatedly and turned to Suzuka for help. "Ugh, that's not it. Suzuka-chan, a little help please?"
"Hayate-chan, no cuddle time if you don't stop~" Suzuka said cheerfully.
Nanoha's eyebrow raised in interest when Hayate shuddered and immediately clamp her mouth shut.
She never saw her friend listen to any command before that she couldn't help but tease her a little bit. "Whipped"
Hayate gritted her teeth, about to shout a retort but with just one glance at Suzuka's stern gaze, Hayate could only grumbled on how unfair it was for her and held up her hand in mock surrender. "Alright, I'll stop. So what exactly did you guys fight about?"
Nanoha fidgeted with her hands, hoping that this action might ease the tension she felt about opening up to her friends. She stayed like that for a minute or so but when Hayate nudge her arm, she finally accepted that it would never help stop her friends' curious gaze. "You guys know that she writes fiction stories, right?" Nanoha asked in a nervous voice as she glanced back and forth between her friends.
Suzuka tapped her chin thoughtfully. "If I remember correctly, you two became fast friends after commenting on one of her stories"
Nanoha immediately blush when she remembered that certain story. Words can't express how embarrass Nanoha was when her friends tried to read the story as well. She was so busy bragging about how Fate could write amazing stories that she forgot that the specific story she shown them have sexual content. Nanoha couldn't properly look into their eyes for days even though Suzuka keep saying that it was alright but at the back of her mind, she blamed Hayate for laughing at her for days and making her feel worst about it. Yup, she definitely blame her annoying friend.
"Oh you mean Nanoha's favorite story right?" Hayate smirk wickedly when Nanoha shot her a sidelong glare. "I still can't believe that a shy girl like her that still feel nervous to video call with her online crush and can only handle voice call could actually read M rated stories-"
"I-it's talking to Fate-chan face to face. Of course I would feel nervous!" Nanoha answered with a warning tone. She tried her best to restrain herself from shouting and strangling her friend since she knew that it would only attract guards or teachers' attentions. "Anyway! All I'm saying is the problem started when she tried to put up a new chapter for her latest popular story" Nanoha felt her face heat up in anticipation of the next part she would revealed. "We kind of tease each other on who exactly is the person we like and we both tried to evade a clear answer so Fate-chan challenge me to do a bet game to force one another to give a proper answer"
Hayate chuckled. "Sounds fun! This Fate is really an interesting person. So what is it about?"
Nanoha frowned as she tried to remember the exact deal they made. "Fate-chan said "If I got a 50 reviews before the day ends then you have to tell me who is the person you like""
"Oh, Fate-san is quite clever when it comes to getting what she wants" Suzuka commented.
"More like she is a cheeky girl for using a game to get an answer" Hayate turn her gaze back to her troubled friend. "What is your own conditions Nanoha? You didn't make a lame one and lose right?"
"You know how much I hated losing to a challenge so I considered how popular her story was and said that if she gets more than 100 then she will be the one that will tell me the truth"
"Interesting. Who won then?" Suzuka asked, eager to hear the result.
"We both lost" Nanoha laughed awkwardly when her friends furrowed their brows. "By midnight, Fate got a total of 48 reviews so technically nobody won but Fate-chan said that it's her lost so she told me the truth"
Nanoha gulped nervously as her two friends' lean closer to her as if doing so would made it easier to hear the next part of the story. "Fate-chan said that she has a huge crush on someone living on the other side of the world. Someone that she met online. Someone that's reading her message now"
Hayate gasped. "Oh my gosh! She likes you too! If you didn't get that then you must be brain dead Nanoha"
Nanoha pouted at the accusation. "Of course I get it and since she made it clear, I decided it's only fair that I reveal my feelings too"
"So does that mean your dating now?" Suzuka asked skeptically. She knew that if they were already dating then it should be something to be happy about but with Nanoha's sad and almost guilty expression, she knew that they didn't became an official couple.
"No" Nanoha said in a quiet voice after a while. Suzuka worriedly look at her friend before she glanced at Hayate as if sending her a mental message. Hayate had a grim expression on her face but she just shook her head.
"Hayate, if Suzuka-chan didn't stay here and follow her mother's order to study abroad, would you still have confessed your feelings?"
Suzuka's eyes widen. "Nanoha-cha-"
"Of course I will. But I would not be satisfied with a long distance relationship. I would do anything so that I could be with her" Hayate answered without any hesitation.
"I see. You two said the same thing… about doing anything just so she could be with me" Nanoha bit her lower lip. She didn't want to doubt anything Fate said. She wanted to believe all her promises, all the things she wanted to do together but… "Honestly, I'm scared that a long distance relationship won't work out. I could probably handle it if she was living somewhere in Japan but she lives on the other side of the world! Also, she is two years older than me and she have work and family over there. I don't want to take away her time from them-"
"Enough with the excuses and look at me" Hayate stood in front of her friend and waited for Nanoha to stare into her eyes. Nanoha contemplated for a while before she hesitantly met Hayate's gaze. Anxious slate blue eyes met intense deep blue eyes. "I just want to confirm one thing. Do you love her, Nanoha?"
"I…" Nanoha closed her eyes. She tried to forget all her anxieties and fears and just focus on one thing.
Nanoha tried to envision a moment together just like how Fate did it and Nanoha found herself wanting to make it happen. An intense feeling of wanting to physically hear her voice, to see her smile and to feel her warmth filled her chest. Now that everything seems so simple in her mind Nanoha ask herself once again. Despite the complication that might arise when dating someone living so far away, is it worth it to start a relationship with Fate-chan?
"I love her" Nanoha answered with a clear conviction. Even if she doubted her feelings before, now, everything was so clear that she felt stupid worrying about it. Her heart skip a beat, happy that she could finally admit it without hesitation.
Hayate kept her unwavering gaze on Nanoha before she finally sighed in relief and pat Nanoha's head as if she was a kid that needed to be praise for doing something good. "That's the only thing that matter. Trust me, everything else will fall into place"
Nanoha's eyes widen and it took her a moment before she realized that Hayate ruined her hair and immediately slap her friend's hand away. Hayate chuckled then slowly step back. "Now that is over, I'll just go get some water" Hayate turned around and stode off. "Having a serious conversation is so stressful"
"What was that about?" Nanoha shifted her gaze at Suzuka when Hayate turn to the next corner.
"Well, Hayate is not good with giving advice but she is definitely good at listening on someone else problem" Suzuka smiled brightly when Nanoha snorted.
"I wasn't expecting anything from her anyway… but don't tell her that what she said help me or I won't hear the end of it" Nanoha winked.
Suzuka chuckled and playfully cross her heart. "No worries. Your secret is safe with me"
Suzuka smiled brightly as her friend laughed at her silly antics. She waited for her to calm down before she voiced out her concern regarding their topic earlier. "Nanoha-chan, now that you're sure of how you feel, are you going to talk to Fate-chan today?"
Suzuka frowned when Nanoha's smile slowly vanished and settled for biting her lower lip, something she unconsciously do when she was uncertain of something. "I don't know. The last time we talk was weeks ago..."
Suzuka furrowed her brows in disappointment at her friend's attitude. "The more reason you should talk now. It won't do you any good if you keep this up"
"I know but just like I said the last time we talked, we confess our feelings for each other but I still didn't give an answer when she asked me to be her girlfriend"
Suzuka groaned. She can feel a headache coming on. "Is that why you said that you guys are not a couple yet?"
Nanoha could only cover her face in shame before she gave her friend a stiff nod.
"Then why don't you call her later and tell her your answer? I'm sure it would make her happy to actually hear it instead of just read it like you guys usually do" Suzuka suggested.
"Yeah, I kind of thought of that option too but I want to see her reaction in person when I said it" Nanoha laughed awkwardly "Crazy idea right? I mean, she can't possibly fly here just to hear my answe-"
"That's a great idea! If she is serious about you then I don't see why not. You should definitely ask... no, make her to come here! This will be a test of love that she must overcome if she really loves you! I'm sure it would be a beautiful first meeting" Suzuka's eyes sparkled, lost in her own imagination.
Nanoha tried to put a stop on her friend's nonsense but Suzuka was so adamant with the idea that she didn't stop pestering Nanoha until she finally gave in and message Fate.
Hayate suddenly showed up and rushed towards them, her face looked quiet paled. "Guys! It's already 5:30 we are so late in Vita's class!"
The two immediately stood and dash off for the next class. The three blamed each other for not checking the time and the worst part was the next class was being held on the other building. Definitely late.
(=ω= )
After a long day at school Nanoha was finally at home.
"Mom, I'm home" Nanoha announce in her strained voice as she dragged her feet inside.
Momoka soon approached her daughter at the front door. Her eyes were filled with glee as she watched her daughter struggle to remove her shoes. "Welcome home, sweetie. How was school?"
Nanoha bent down to put her shoes into the shoe rack before she heaved a breath and gave her mom a huge grin. "It was hell, mom"
Momoko chuckled softly at Nanoha's usual response. "Well, good thing I made your favorite food tonight. I'm sure it would make you feel better"
"Curry?! I love you, mom!" Nanoha squealed in delight as she hugged her mom tightly.
Momoko return her embrace and kiss her forehead. "I love you too. Now, go and change your clothes while I'll set up the table"
Nanoha gave her mother one last hug before she stormed off towards her bedroom at the second floor. Momoko can't help but smirk at how easy it is to change her child's mood.
After eating dinner Nanoha took a quick shower then stood at the foot of her bed and let her body fall on soft mattress, not caring that her hair was still wet. She was so tired that she was going in and out of consciousness. After a few unsuccessful attempt to fight off sleep, she finally closed her heavy eye lids and succumb to her body's plead to sleep. Unfortunately for her, she was jerked awake when her phone decided to choose that moment to ring.
Nanoha groaned and blindly reach for phone. Once the phone was finally in her grasped, she slowly sat before she check on who was this person that dared to come between her and her beauty sleep. Nanoha blanched, any sign of the sleepy haze she felt earlier immediately vanish as she stared at the unknown number. Nanoha would have wondered on who it was if it was a local number but the numbers that flash on her screen are international numbers and only one person would call her from overseas. Nanoha took a deep breath before pressing the answer button.
"Hello?"
(*ω* )
Nanoha loudly stomp down the stairs as she fixed her jacket that she hurriedly put on. "Mom! Sorry but I need to go out"
"Alright. Let me know if you're going to stay over at Hayate's place, okay?" Momoko shouted over the sound coming from the television before she took a sip of her green tea, her eyes never stray her gaze from the T.V. show.
Nanoha stood at the back of their sofa and glance down in wonder at her mother. "How did you know I will go there?"
"You're my child, Nanoha. Of course I would know besides…" Momoko looked up over her shoulder. "There is only one place you would go when you look flustered like you do now"
Nanoha smiled sheepishly. The idea that her mom probably felt lonely for not confiding in her probably plague her mind. "Nanoha… You'll get wrinkles if keep that expression on your face"
Nanoha snapped out of her stupor and focus on the amused glance her mother gave her. "Nanoha, don't worry. I understand that kids these days usually confined to their friends when they have problems but make sure to tell me once everything is finally sorted out, okay?"
Nanoha laughed and kiss her mom on the cheek. "I will. Thanks, mom"
Nanoha bid her mother one last goodbye before she made her way out of the house and into the cold night.
(* x * )
"Good evening Nanoha-san. What brings you here today?" Shamal asked as she watch Nanoha hunch down and tried to catch her breath.
Nanoha gasped and wipe the sweat off her forehead before she slowly straighten her posture. "H-Hello Shamal-san. Is it okay if I talk to Hayate?"
"Of course… but she kind of ask me not to disturb her. She is in movie mood tonight and want to watch a new horror movie in peace" Shamal sighed as she shook her head.
Nanoha gaped. "Again? Why can't she just accept that she can't handle scary movies?"
Shamal shrugged. "You know that girl has her quirks. She loves horror movies even though she ends up scaring herself too much that she couldn't sleep right after. Anyway, I'll bring you guys some snacks later" Shamal smiled and push Nanoha towards the stairs. "Go and give her a good scare. You would definitely love her reaction"
Nanoha and Shamal share a high five before the brunette girl proceeded to went up the stairs as she plan out in her head on how to make her presence known.
( * v * )
Nanoha tiptoed once she was near at Hayate's room and she slowly open the door to peek inside. The room was pitch back and Hayate was there on her bed at the far corner of the room. She was stuffing her mouth with popcorn while her eyes were glued on her laptop screen, oblivious to the intruder that was creeping towards her. Nanoha smiled wickedly and glance at the laptop screen as she waited for a perfect moment. Luckily, the movie was now on a scary scene based on the chilling background music. Once the ghost pop out and the character was about to scream, Nanoha scream bloody murder right on Hayate's left ear.
Hayate was so surprise that she swallowed her own scream and instinctively move away from whatever cause the ringing in her ear. Unfortunately, the bed was not that big and Hayate fell down and hit her head on the floor and to make matters worse, pieces of popcorn followed suit covering the poor girl's face.
While Hayate was still groaning in pain on the floor, Nanoha open the light before bending down next to her friend and gave her a huge toothy smile. "Good evening, Hayate"
Hayate spare her a quick indifferent glance before sighing tiredly. "Nanoha, as much as I want to strangle your neck right now… will you help me get up?"
After Nanoha had her fun, she spent the next minutes cleaning up the popcorn on the floor as punishment for what she did. Shamal eventually brought two slice of egg pie with two glass of juice to the room and made sure to playfully touch the bump on Hayate's head before she finally left the two alone.
Hayate put the tray down on her coffee table and irritably serve her friend her share of food. Nanoha chuckled nervously. "Come on, Hayate. Don't be mad. I already said sorry didn't I?"
"That's the first time you said sorry-ugh! Whatever!" Hayate pointed an accusing finger at Nanoha. "Your reason for coming here better be good or I'll take your precious teddy bear away from you"
A red tint immediately filled Nanoha's cheeks when the stuff toy she receive on her birthday was mentioned. "T-that's unfair. Little Fate-chan has nothing to do with this!"
"You know, I really didn't get why you are very fond of naming your stuff toys since we were kids but now I know that only one bear is precious to you and to think that you actually name it after your crush?... So cute!" Hayate teased.
"Shut up!"
"So, what's the problem now? I'm happy that you're getting used to opening your feelings but I didn't say that you could abuse my offer Nanoha" Hayate smirked before she cut a piece of her pie and ate it.
Nanoha rolled her eyes. She was already tired of arguing back and just want to get on to her point. "Actually, my problem involves you that is why I'm here"
"And how exactly am I involve?" Hayate raised an eyebrow, Nanoha finally got her full attention.
Nanoha nervously rubbed the back of her neck and avoided her gaze. "You see, after the talk earlier I realized that I wanted to tell Fate-chan my answer in person. So, I sent her a mail earlier about it and after dinner, she called me and told me that she will be here this coming Friday"
"That fast? Wow, she must be really serious about you. That's great, Nanoha! So why do you look so worried?" Hayate tilted her head in confusion. She can tell that something was not right here.
"Earlier, I told you guys about my worries, right? But I didn't actually told you the main reason why I'm hesitating to start a relationship with Fate-chan" Nanoha admitted dejectedly as she shakily run her hand through her hair.
"What do you mean?" Hayate whispered softly and lean closer. Somehow, as she looked at Nanoha she can't help but get nervous herself.
Nanoha bit her lower lip. "I- during the first few days after we met online, she sent a photo of herself so that I would know what she would look like and ask me to do the same… I hesitated to send her my picture back then because I wasn't sure if I could trust her. I mean, there are a bunch of bad people that you could met online right? Mom always warn me about talking to strangers online and-"
"What?! Stop stalling already!" Hayate snapped in frustration as she held Nanoha's shoulder tightly.
"I send her a picture of you!" Nanoha blurted out with her eyes tightly close.
The two fell silent before Hayate's eyes went wide in shock.
"You WHAT?!"
AN: Hello! December start today and here is an early Christmas present for you guys ( ・ω・)b I just thought what if you met someone online and send a picture of someone else? then BAM before I knew it the first chapter is finally complete XD. I hope everyone enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. This will only have 3 chapters and don't worry the next chapter will come before christmas or on christmas i think;; Oh and I would eventually update precious days with you after this story is finish since I'm already working on the 3rd and last chapter and I would like to focus on it before I work on a different story.
This story is dedicated to someone special. That person may or may not read this story but since that person tried to create a story just for me then I will also do the same for that person and try to bridge the distance of our hearts with this story! ... lol so cheesy XD
Please review guys! I would like to hear on what you think about this. Till next time bye~
MitsukiNyan (^・ω・^)