Hi Guys. I listened to your comments. Re-reading the story, I think that things may have a gone a little fast so that inspired me to write a flashback chapters of the pair.

Chapter Text

As I finished up my monthly reports, I glanced out the office window to see a flash of lightning and dark skies.

I sent some documents to print only to realize there was no paper in the printer.

I stretched my arms and yawned. I left my desk to get some stationery at the stores, which was like a warehouse with a variety of office supplies at the back of the large building.

I had to take the elevator down two floors to get where I was going. I also needed to walk through a large dimly lit hallway in order to reach supplies room.

When I finally reached the red door, I turned the lock to find that it was already open. However when I stepped inside, I couldn't see anyone. The large shelves with food items and stationery blocked my view so I couldn't see if anyone else was in the room unless I had walked through the rows myself.

I found the dimly lit room to be surprisingly warm and cozy on such a cold day.

The paper was located conveniently on the first shelf. I collected two reams of letter size paper and one ream of legal size paper. I started ticking off everything I planned to collect on the requisition form. Next I took some folders and pens until my hands could carry no more. The pile of supplies reached the tip of my chin.

I was about to turn the corner and head out of the room when I heard a loud "BOOM!"

The sound startled me and I felt myself losing balance. I fell, not before hitting my head on something. I heard a loud "Baddump" when I hit my head. The papers, pens and folders all landed on the floor with a loud "thump."

"OW!...Are you ok? I'm sorry I wasn't looking where I was going." In my blurry vision, I looked up to see a figure with short hair and glasses looking down at me. The person stooped to where I was lying on the floor.

They placed their hands on my shoulder. "Na-nai-chan, are you ok? Should I take you to the nurse's office? Please say something."

I recognized it was Elma and she was panicking for me. I caught myself and sat up.

"Elma, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going and when I heard the thunder, it startled me and I- I didn't know that someone else was in here. So the noise startled me and I bumped my head into you when I turned the corner."

Her worried expression changed to a smile.

"It's fine. Let me help you carry these" she kindly offered, probably taking pity on me.

I felt embarrassed. "N-no it's fine. I'll take them up myself" I said while scrambling to pick up the stationery, to prevent her from helping me.

She raised her right eye brow at me, something I've never seen her do. She helped me pick up two packs of the folders and the pens while I got the papers. "You don't need to be afraid to ask for help, you know. After all, aren't we friends?" she said.

"Thanks Elma."

"Hey, could you wait on me while I get these supplies?"

"No problem" I answered.

I wanted to know why she asked me to wait for her.

My question was answered soon enough.

In five minutes, Elma came out from behind the shelves with twice the supplies I was carrying. She carried them as easily as someone carrying their shopping bags, only she had supplies in both hands. I could only see from the tip of her nose.

"Are you sure you're going to be able to carry that much?" I asked her.

"Hue hue hue. Of course."

"BOOM" the sound of thunder broke the silence of the room again.

As we walked back to the elevator to go to our floor, Elma spoke up.

Sounding very proud, she said "Nai, my name was selected in a supermarket raffle for free parfaits at a newly opened café. I hear they have lots of flavours to choose from and the prices are good too!"

"Really? Congratulations Elma."

"Bu-but the thing is, um, they gave me two tickets for two persons. I don't know what I should do with the other. Um, if you're not busy, then maybe we could go some time. They expire in a week. Bu-but I don't want to impose or anything."

I did a little internal celebratory dance. Without hesitation I answered "Yeah, sure no problem, Elma. Whenever you're ready to go."

I felt my face become hotter when I realized I may have sounded too eager.

"Hue hue hue, so that problem is solved" she replied.

-Later that afternoon

I put on my brown coat. The rain did not stop. It just kept pouring cats and dogs outside.

"Idiot! I forgot to bring my umbrella on the worst of days!" I cursed myself.

Normally I would wait for Elma to walk home since she and I went the same route. I waited at the exit for her, hoping she would have brought her umbrella.

I glanced at my watch. I found myself looking at the glass again in five minutes. Another five minutes went by.

"What's taking her so long? Is she working overtime today?"

I glanced at my watch again to see another ten minutes pass by.

After a whole half hour went by, I had no choice but to walk in the rain. I pushed the door to exit. Suddenly I heard Elma calling for me. I turned around and heaved a sigh of relief. She ran to me with a large black umbrella in her hand.

"Nai, I'm so sorry I kept you waiting. There was a meeting and I couldn't leave until it was over. I'm sorry. It was unexpected" she bowed her head in apology to me.

I smiled. "It's ok. I was just thinking thought I would have to walk in the rain."

"You forgot your umbrella didn't you?" she asked, placing both her hands on her curvy hips and shaking her head.

"Yes."

"That's so like you, Nai. That's why I brought mine because I know you would forget it."

On our way to our separate apartments, I told her "I'm in the mood for some parfaits."

"Oooh. Me too! They're so yummy and they taste better in weather like this. I'm quite surprised, Nai. Other people would have suggested tea at a time like this. Funny how we both prefer parfaits in this weather."

At the café

"They have so many different flavours. I can't pick one. I guess I would have to eat everything" Elma said while salivating on the menu.

"The Mocha fudge pudding with strawberry topping does sound yummy." I said in an attempt to help her make up her mind.

"But the peach with granola and blueberries looks so delish too!" she replied.

After a whole fifteen minutes, we finally decided on my first choice for the both of us.

"Mmmm it's so yummy and the texture is so smooth, it's like I'm tasting heaven!" she exclaimed, her face looking the happiest I have seen it for today.

"And I love how I can taste the caramel too. Sometimes it just dissolves with the other flavours however this is different." I added.

I looked around the café. There were ten tables and about seven of them were occupied with couples. The other two had separate families. Only ours seemed the odd one out.

"Mmmm caramel sticky buns" she dreamily said.

"I want another one!" Elma said as she finished her parfait. She ordered the blueberry and yogurt. She tasted it. "Ooooh this one's also yummy as well!" Both her cheeks were swollen with icy cold parfait.

"Elma, you sure love to eat" I commented.

"Oh Nai, this is so good, I forgot you were here. It's like I was transported to another world. Here you should try some. Say "ahhhh"

She took a spoonful of her second parfait and placed it near my mouth.

I blushed. I looked around. Luckily everyone was minding their own business so no one heard her.

"What? I'm not a child. It's ok, really" I said nearly dying of embarrassment.

"Oh come on, don't be such a spoilt sport Nai."

"Hmph" I folded my arms. "Ok one spoonful."

I opened my mouth. She put the spoon in.

"Mmm Elma, you're right! It's great. This one's better than the one I had."

"See I told you Nai"

After we filled our guts with extra-large parfaits, we left the café. The rain had eased to a soft drizzle. Elma was going to close her umbrella.

"No-no. I think you shouldn't close it because the rain has not completely stopped falling."

"Oh?" she responded. "Ok I won't close it"

I was glad I could have shared the umbrella with her for longer.

We turned to the street that my apartment on.

It was rather lonely. Everyone was probably roasting under their kotatsu by now.

"Bark! Bark!"

I looked straight ahead of me to see a black great dane. I realized it was the neighbour's dog but it somehow escaped from the confines of its yard and ended up on the road.

I stopped walking in fright. It came closer to the both of us and started a stream of barking. The sound pierced my ears. My heart thudded in my chest.

What if he bites me or Elma?

I found myself gripping her right hand.

"Nai, are you afraid of the dog?"

"It's a dangerous breed. He can attack me if he wanted." I said, still clinging to her.

"Well I won't allow that." Elma looked the dog straight in the eye.

"Bad dog. Don't scare my friend!"

It tilted his head and looked at its paw. As if Elma performed some miracle, the dog turned around and ran into his rightful yard.

I gasped. "Elma, you-you I thought he- he was going to attack us."

She looked at me. "It's ok. He's gone now."

I was on the verge of tears from the anxiety. "Thank you."

We neared my apartment. "See you tomorrow Nai" she said, waving at me.

"Thanks for treating me. I had a good time with you today!" I responded, watching her walk away as proud as a lion.