Chapter Thirty-Three – Naru

"So, this is the place…" Yasuhara murmured as he walked alongside the NA200. He'd never actually been to the coffee shop before. It was a place Jeanette had found one day, and they'd just placed orders there ever since. It was conveniently close to the bank, and the coffee was good, so they'd never changed it. It was early morning and they wouldn't start for another thirty minutes, which gave then young Asian time to accompany the android for a change. The unit had insisted he didn't require supervision, but Yasuhara was helplessly curious. "It looks homely." He added cheerfully as he looked at the small wood framed shop front. It wouldn't look out of place in a winter wonderland setting.

"That is an apt description." The android replied in its usual toneless voice. The interior was warm, and Yasuhara felt his cheeks heat. Behind the counter he could see Mai, the girl from the picture, only she was much cuter in person. Her dress was also a lot lower cut than he'd thought. It was a cute maid dress with a frilly white apron and puffy skirts. He noticed the NA200 looking at him from the corner of his eye, probably reading his vitals.

"Naru!" Mai called brightly, Yasuhara raising an eyebrow at the nickname. Naru? He wondered, seeing the barest pinch of the android's smooth brow. "Your usual?" She added, to which the NA200 nodded. Yasuhara joined the android at the counter, watching the bubbly teen making the coffees. He elbowed the android lightly in encouragement, noting the way Mai was constantly stealing glances at him. "You brought a friend with you today." She added as she worked.

"He is a co-worker." The android corrected.

"Yasuhara, pleased to meet you." The human cut in brightly, giving Mai a winning smile. Mai returned the smile and fell into easy conversation. He quickly asked about the name 'Naru', and was surprised to learn that Kazuya hadn't shared his name. Though…why would he? He never gives information unless he's asked for it directly.

"Since I didn't know his name I wrote his model number on the cup, but one of my other regulars misread it." She explained, still remembering the way Takigawa had squinted at her poor writing, asking her 'Who the hell is Naru?' before she leaned over and corrected him. He'd laughed and teased her about it, and the name had stuck. The NA200 had been confused at first, but after a few days of Takigawa calling him Naru he'd started to respond to it.

"I can't believe you never introduced yourself Kaz." Yasuhara teased, the android looking through his social programs and realising that he should have done so. He had been a regular customer here for many months now. He simply hadn't considered it. He'd gotten Mai's name with a simple face scan, and their relationship was a simple server and customer affair. He hadn't thought it necessary at first.

"You are correct, I apologise Mai." The android said in a humble tone. Yasuhara almost chuckled at the way Mai's cheeks turned red. It seemed he'd never said her name out loud before. She stammered nervously before returning her attention to the coffee she was making. Yasuhara watched Mai and the NA200 interact and noticed that he was ever so slightly softer when speaking to her than he was in the office. He almost seemed to enjoy his time at the shop. Am I projecting again? He's a machine, he doesn't think like that…

"Sorry it took so long! Here's your order, and Naru, this is for you." She added as she handed him a seasonally decorate cup. The android took his drink with thanks, making sure to keep it separate to the coffee to avoid a mix up. Yasuhara took one of the bags and opened the door, saying goodbye to Mai as they left. It was cold, too cold to be outside in Yasuhara's opinion. He quickened his pace, unsurprised as the android kept pace beside him.

"It's so cold out here! I bet it'll snow soon." He added with a shiver as they hurried up the street to the bank. The NA200 replied with a few statistics and probabilities. Turns out it was likely to snow in a few weeks. "Just in time for Christmas." The human joked, watching as the android looked up Christmas and nodded his agreement. He tilted his head as Yasuhara idly began singing 'White Christmas'.

"So? Was she as cute as the picture?" Jeanette asked teasingly as the duo reached their desks. The android didn't bother to respond as he sat down to begin work, but Yasuhara was always ready to gossip.

"Cuter! You're so lucky Kaz! I wish I had your good looks." The human lamented as he handed Jeanette her coffee. He was a little more rigid as he placed Mel's coffee on her desk, something that didn't go unnoticed by Jeanette. The blonde had been subdued since she'd arrived, keeping her head down and barely talking.

"You are aesthetically pleasing, and well proportioned. I believe many humans would find you desirable as a mate." The android replied simply. He'd compared Yasuhara in his database and determined the human to be above average in looks and physique. He was also intelligent, and the humans in the office seemed drawn to his bright personality. Add to that the fact that his pay was higher than average and he was quite a desirable mate.

"Kaz, you say the sweetest things sometimes." Yasuhara replied in a touched tone. Jeanette teased him a little longer before returning to her desk, not missing the way Yasuhara avoided Mel's gaze as he returned to his own desk and started work. He only looked up as their boss approached, his disgruntled expression shifting slightly as he met the NA200's gaze. The unit's LED flickered yellow, and then Yasuhara was shocked to see it blip red once.

"You. My office. One hour." The older man ordered stiffly, something in his eyes putting Yasuhara on edge. The way he was looking at the NA200 was almost predatory. He watched the unit's hands still, the LED flashing yellow as it looked up.

"Understood Sir." The unit replied in its usual dutiful tone. This had been going on for a few weeks now, and Yasuhara didn't like it. He didn't know what they were doing, but he could guess. He bit the inside of his mouth as the Asian unit got to work, acting as if he hadn't just been openly propositioned by their middle aged, married boss. "Is something wrong, Yasuhara?" The android asked as it noticed his worried gaze.

"Kaz, you…No…It's nothing." He replied in defeat, knowing the android wouldn't be able to tell him anything anyway. It would have confidentiality protocols in place to stop it talking about sexual liaisons. Yasuhara shuddered as he wondered just who else was using him.