Title: What was I Thinking?
Prompt 29: What one person does she most wish she didn't have to put up with, but feels she has to?
Word Count: 756
Timeline: very early in the series.
Mai stood by the window in the meeting room of the office. Her hands were clasped behind her and she rocked back and forth on her feet, willing the twenty minutes to pass quicker. Naru and Lin would be returning from their lunch break at that time, and Mai would be able to take hers.
It was one of those bright fall afternoons, and Mai could not wait to get outside. She planned on going to a café that was a just far enough walking distance that she could fully enjoy the weather without returning late.
Mai spun around when the office door opened, anticipating her boss returning early. She ended up attempting to rein in her irritation when she saw it was Masako Hara. She hoped the emotion wasn't written all over her face, but knowing herself well, it probably was.
"Good afternoon, Hara-san," Mai said, forcing some politeness in her tone.
Masako nodded to the greeting. Her kimono had a base color of blue, the same shade that the sky was. It reminded Mai her countdown to being able to escape outside. She checked the clock. Fifteen more minutes. If Naru was late, she mused, it would be fun to point it out.
Masako shook her out of her thoughts. "Is Kazuya-san here?" she asked.
"No, he's not."
"Oh," Masako said. "I didn't think he would be out of town so soon. Do you know when he will be back?"
Less than fifteen minutes, Mai almost said, when she suddenly realized that Masako had misunderstood her and thought Naru was on one of his trips.
Mai opened her mouth to correct the error. Honestly, that was her intention. But it came out as, "No, he never knows when he'll be back. He doesn't even give estimates."
Masako's face fell and she nodded again. "Then I guess I'll stop in another time."
"Do you want something to drink before you go?" Mai offered without thinking.
"Yes, that would be nice," Masako said, much to Mai's dismay. Suddenly, the clock hands felt like they were moving faster than before. Naru could be back any minute, giving Mai an excellent chance of being caught in the fib. What was she thinking?
Oh wait, she had not been thinking – Naru always did remind her of that.
Mai moved quickly to the kitchen, glad there was tea that was still warm from earlier. She poured it and went to the couch that Masako was sitting on, stealing a glance at the clock.
Seven minutes before her doom.
*.*
Masako sipped her tea slowly. Mai had to wonder if Masako sensed her agitation and was trying to draw her out. They made pleasant chit-chat about the nice weather, though Mai was certain at this point she wasn't going to be able to enjoy it.
Mai jumped when the door clicked open. She was facing away from it, so she turned swiftly and almost sloshed tea on herself.
Masako was facing the door. She said, "Good afternoon Lin-san."
He returned the greeting, and said to Mai, "You can take your lunch now."
Mai nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
"I will not keep you then," Masako said. "Thank you for the tea."
*.*
After Masako showed herself out, Mai lunged into Lin's office. "Lin-san, where's Naru?"
"He's outside, finishing something he was reading."
She considered asking exactly where, but decided it wasn't worth it. If he had been right in Masako's path, it was too late anyway.
Mai slowly left the building, and released a breath she had not realized she was holding when she stepped outside. Masako – and Naru – were nowhere to be seen.
She turned the corner, heading to the café she had planned on. Naru was leaning on the wall of the building, a book in his hands.
"Naru," she said, "Did Hara-san pass by here?"
He looked up, pausing in the process of turning the page. "Should she have?"
"I hoped not," Mai said, then confessed, "I accidentally let her think you were out of town."
"There are worse things."
Mai had to wonder if there was a 'thank you' embedded within that statement. She leaned against the wall next to him, feeling the sunlight warm her face. She looked sideways at Naru, who was also in the full light.
"Was there something else?" Naru said without looking up from the book.
Mai grinned. "I just always thought you could not handle the sunlight."
"I haven't heard that one before," Naru said, turning the page. "How original."
