Chapter 3

Number One Fan

Guest Star: Iroha

Naotora starts running towards the train station, worried that she won't make it in time since she kinda overslept again cause of training. After eating a quick breakfast and kiss to her parents good-bye, she hurried out of house and started sprinting towards the station. However, she's already running out of breath, but she knows she has to hurry before the train leaves. Not only that, but her girlfriend, Mai Shiranui, is also riding the train, so she can't miss that either. She runs up the stairs and sees the train station just about 15 feet away from her, so with every last breath, she runs and stops at the station in the nick of time. Mai is already there, laughing her butt off.

"You made it~!" she says. "I thought your big breasts were weighing you down."

"I-I'm so sorry!" Naotora apologizes. "I promise to be more on time! I promise!"

Mai laughs as she pets her girlfriend like a puppy. "Relax, girl~. I just got here a few minutes ago. I'm not much of an early bird either."

"Uuuuu~!" Naotora sobs adorably. "Mai-chaaaaaaan~!" She hugs her girlfriend tightly, making the brunette giggle while still petting her.

"Hey, hey, girl! You're cute and all, but do you reeeaaally want to cause a scene for all these people around us~? I didn't know you liked this much attention, Nao-chan~!"

"Eh!?" In an instant, she lifts up her head to see most people staring at the two of them, others whispering things to each other. Blushing in embarrassment, she lets go of Mai and bows in shame to those around her.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she apologizes.

Thankfully, the train arrives, so Mai takes her wrist and drags her along. "Come on, Nao-chan. We don't want to cause even MORE of a scene. Hehe~!"

"S-sorry…"

"Mou~! Stop apologizing!"

**DOATEC Academy for Girls**

Naotora pants heavily as she and Mai are at the front gates of the girls' school. Mai just puts a smile on her face as she holds her school bag and looking around.

"H-how come YOU'RE not out of breath!?" Naotora asks as she straightens up.

"I'm a ninja, remember~?" Mai replies.

"Oh…that's right."

"I thought you're a samurai, Nao-chan. So, they must have taught you the importance of pacing yourself~"

"Mai-chan!"

"Hehehehe~!" Mai laughs as she pets her girlfriend like a puppy. "You're so fun to tease~!"

"Mai-chan, stop it!"

Naotora loves Mai with all her heart, but sometimes, she can be a bit annoying with her constant teasing. They walk towards the entrance of the school when something catches Mai's eye. A girl with short black hair dressed in the same school uniform as they are, but is wearing a maid's hat on her head for some reason. And clearly, Mai can recognize that person.

"Wait…is that…" Mai says as she stares at the girl.

"Eh?" Naotora looks in Mai's direction to notice the girl as well. "You know her?"

Just then, Mai brightens and waves her hand in the air wildly. "Heeey~! Iroha-chan! It's meeee~!"

The short haired girl turns toward Mai's direction and trots toward the brunette. "Ah, Mai-san! It's been a while!"

"Yes! Yes it has been!" The cheerful ninja quickly hugs the busty black haired girl tightly. "Ohhhhh, it's so nice to see you!" She pulls away and gestures her hand towards Naotora. "Oh! I would like to introduce my girlfriend, Naotora Ii. But I call her 'Nao-chan' cause she's cute~!"

Iroha bows politely. "It's an honor to meet you, Nao-chan~!"

"Ah! P-pleased to meet you, too!" Naotora bows as well.

Mai quickly hugs the black haired girl again with a cute squeal. "Eeeeeek~! I can't believe Iroha-chan has come to our school! Why, though~? I thought you were with your master."

"Master?" Naotora repeats. "What…are you talking about?"

Iroha giggles. "Oh, I'm actually a maid. My master's on his own now. I miss him, though. Serving him was amazing though. I had a lot of fun with him."

"Oh, I see."

"So…who is going to be your master now?" Mai asks. Then, an idea pops in her head. She twirls around, takes out her fan and opens it while thrusting her arm forward. "How about me~?"

Iroha laughs. "Mai-san, you're so silly~!"

The shy girl watches at the two talk and laugh at the same time. Mostly, Mai is clinging onto Iroha.

Wow, she thinks. They sure look pretty…close. So…they know each other longer than me. I wonder if…

"Nao-chan?" Mai says as she turns her head towards the shy samurai. "Is something the matter?"

"Ah! S-sorry! It's nothing!" the raven haired girl says, waving her hands back and forth.

Thankfully, the warning bell rings and Naotora sighs in relief. Mai takes Iroha's hand.

"Well, we have to go," she says. "We'll meet each other at lunch, okay, Nao-chan?"

"Ah, okay," Naotora says. "I'll…see you later."

As the two girls head inside the school, all Naotora could do is stare at those intertwined hands.

**Later**

Naotora cannot concentrate on the lectures the teacher is giving her. Her mind is too focused on Mai and Iroha right now. She wonders how long they have known each other and why Mai is so suddenly head over heels for her when she's already taken. She shakes her head roughly and tries to get back on the lectures. But the thought of them keeps on distracting her and in the end, she can only take a few notes and needed to borrow them from a classmate.

On the way to her next period, she sees Mai and Iroha in the crowded hallway. But she sees the happy brunette just trying to cling onto the short haired maid like a child and Iroha can't seem to get her off. Naotora just stands there, staring at them.

Mai-chan looks like she's having fun with her, she thinks. Maybe they really are close.

She shakes her head and heads toward her next class. Surely, Mai wouldn't really choose Iroha over her, right? This is the first time they met, so she can't jump to conclusions this soon. Lunch time is around the corner, so she'll be able to spend her time with the happy brunette at least.

Soon, lunchtime finally arrives and the shy girl waits outside for her beloved to arrive and eat with her. She looks around as she walks over toward their usual spot and sits down. Just then, she hears some footsteps coming toward her. She lifts her head up with a wide smile to greet her, but it slowly fades when she sees Mai dragging Iroha along. Why her?

"Oh, Nao-chan!" Mai says. "Do you mind if Iroha-chan joins us? It's her first day after all!~!"

Naotora shakes her head with a small smile. "N-no, go ahead."

Both Iroha and Mai sit down and open up their lunches. Naotora does the same, but about 20 seconds after them.

"Oh! You HAVE to try this! This is just amazing!" Mai says as she picks up her food and hands it to Iroha. "Here! Have a bite~!"

"W-wouldn't people get the wrong idea, though?" Iroha says as she sweat drops.

"It's just a taste, Iroha-chan~!" Mai says. "Oh! Unless Nao-chan wants a bite first!" She moves her fork over towards her girlfriend's direction. "Here! Say, 'Ah~'"

The raven haired girl hesitates as she stares at the food that's being offered to her. She then gulps and leans in to eat the food. Mai giggles as Naotora chews and swallows. The shy girl smiles at the taste.

"It's really good~" she says.

"Hehe! I cook up a good lunch, right~?" Mai says.

"I didn't get a bite though!" Iroha says with a cute pout.

"Oh! Sorry, sorry!" Mai giggles as she offers her piece.

Iroha eats it happily. "Wow! Pretty good!"

"Told ya~!"

Naotora lets out a soft giggle and returns to her lunch. Maybe it's not so bad, she thinks. Iroha-chan is a nice girl. She wouldn't do anything to hurt people anyways. Why am I worried?

The three girls enjoy their lunch for the rest of the hour.

**After School**

"Wanna go home together, Nao-chan~?" Mai asks as she turns around before exiting the school gates.

"Ah, okay!" Naotora nods.

"Can I come?" Iroha says. "I mean, I got nowhere else to go since my master bought me this uniform and such before he let me off."

"You can stay at my place~!" Mai suggests.

"That's a great idea~!" Iroha says. "Thanks, Mai-san!"

"Anytime!"

The train ride home is a bit uneventful, but as long as Mai is around, Naotora feels comfortable. They sat together, chatting away, but all the shy girl could do is just look at Mai and Iroha enjoying themselves. Surely, those two must have known each other for a long time, so its evident that Mai is closer to Iroha. Even though it's been a day, Naotora still wonders if Mai would barely spend time with her since she has reunited with her friend.

**A Few Days Later**

The next few days, Naotora has been observing Mai for quite a while. She wants to find out if Mai is really attached to Iroha. And so far…part of her theory is right. Every morning, whenever they enter the school, Iroha shows up and Mai just simply hugs her tightly, squealing with delight and everything. Every time she sees the two of them in the halls, Mai is attached to Iroha all the time, sometimes just holding onto Iroha's waist while being dragged. And then, during lunch, Mai and Iroha are enjoying their time together, sharing indirect kisses, much less than with Naotora. The shy girl is starting to get a little worried about it, but no matter how hard she tries to shake the thought of Mai and Iroha getting together, it just wouldn't go away. It went on all day, including the time when they are taking the train home together. Mai is all chatty with Iroha more than Naotora.

Then, when they get off the train, Naotora just wants to rush home when Mai stops her.

"Nao-chan!" she calls. "Wait!"

The raven haired girl stops in her tracks and turns toward her girlfriend. "Yes?"

"Is something the matter? You haven't said anything since school started."

"I-I'm fine," Naotora says as she turns away. "I…I want to go home. See you later."

"Ah…okay." Mai waves her good-bye, but still has that concerned expression on her face.

**Naotora's Home**

The shy girl is in the warm bath, still wearing her hair in low pig-tails and looks up at the ceiling with the bright light shining on her eyes. She lets out a heavy sigh. She cannot keep thinking about Mai and Iroha getting along very well with each other, almost as if they are an actual couple. No…they are not a couple, they are just close friends. Mai and Naotora are the real couple here. So, why?

"Am I…not a good enough girlfriend for Mai-chan?" she suddenly says to herself. She jolts her head up. "Wait…no. Iroha-chan is a nice person! She will NEVER do anything cruel to me! Not since we met anyways…" She hugs her knees and lets out another sigh, but there was a bit of a shake in her voice. "But…I…I don't know whether or not to think whether or not I am a good enough girlfriend to her! I mean, Iroha-chan is getting all the attention now instead of me! This is so upsetting!" She hangs her head down while hugging her knees tighter. A couple tears fall down from her eyes. "Mai-chan…I love you, but…do you love Iroha-chan more?"

**Next Day**

Naotora didn't want to come to school today, but she has to. She arrives at the train station to find Mai and Iroha together, sitting on the bench. The shy girl lets out a soft sigh and just stands there about 10 feet away from them to wait for the train. Mai laughs at whatever Iroha said and looks up to see her beloved standing there, just waiting for the train. That expression on Naotora's face makes Mai's heart ache. Is that…a heartbroken expression? If so, she has to confront her, so they can work things out. Mai doesn't want her beloved to think she's cheating on her just because she's with Iroha for the past few days.

The two enter school and head towards the entrance when Mai tries to catch up to Naotora. But the shy girl keeps on walking, ignoring the brunette's calls. Mai stops and lowers her hand she was reaching for, trying to grasp her distant beloved. Something's definitely up and Naotora's strange behavior is a dead give away.

"Is something the matter?" Iroha asks. "What's wrong?"

"Nao-chan," Mai says. "I need to talk to her. She seems very upset."

"Mm…I think I know why."

"Eh? What is it?"

"Nao-san is probably jealous of you. Since you and I reunited, she's been acting like this. You were ignoring her for the past few days, Mai-san."

"O-oh…I did?" Then it hits Mai. Her being head over heels for the maid and not paying any attention to Naotora at all. "Oh, man! Nao-chan! How could I ignore her, my most beloved!?"

"Well, it's your fault for being all over me," Iroha says with a nervous smile. She wraps her arms around the brunette. "Nao-san may have gotten the wrong idea about us. So…maybe after school, go talk to her. It's time for you two to make up."

Mai smiles and nods. "I sure will, Iroha-chan~! Thanks!"

**After school**

Mai sees Naotora walking in the halls in a less crowded hallway since it's nearly sunset. She calls the shy girl and thankfully, Naotora stops.

"We need to talk," Mai says. "Do you mind?"

Naotora just nods and follows the brunette towards the back of the school where no one is present, giving them the privacy. The shy girl just looks down at the ground, fiddling with the hem of her skirt as she just avoids eye contact with her girlfriend.

Wh-what does she want? she thinks. I just want to go home.

"Nao-chan," Mai says as she has a serious expression on her face. "You've been…acting strangely for the past few days. Is there anything you like to tell me?"

Naotora looks away from the brunette, biting her lip as she tries to will herself not to cry.

"Nao-chan?"

It is then that heavy tears spill from the raven haired girl's eyes. "Wh-why…Mai-chan…."

"Eh?"

Naotora plunges herself against the brunette's chest. "You…you're so cruel! You love Iroha-chan more than me right!? E-ever since we met, you've been attached to this…this maid! And you were ignoring me this whole time! You're so cruel!" The raven haired girl lets out her tears and sobs.

For Mai, it pains her to hear her beloved cry like that. She embraces her tightly and shuts her eyes tightly as well. "I'm sorry, Nao-chan! I'm so sorry I've been ignoring you! But the fact is that I DO love you! Very much from the bottom of my heart! You're the only girl for me!"

Naotora sniffles as she looks up at the brunette. Mai caresses her girlfriend's cheek, still wearing her serious expression. "Listen, Iroha-chan and I have known each other since childhood, but that doesn't change the fact that my feelings for you will change."

"Mai-ch-chan…"

Mai kisses her on the lips briefly. "I love you, Nao-chan. I really mean it."

A new batch of tears fall from Naotora's eyes and buries her face onto Mai's ches once again. The brunette hugs her as she gently strokes her hair.

"There, there," she says softly. "Shhhh…it's alright. Nao-chan, I love you. Shhhh…"

Naotora continues to cry her heart out, letting out what she had been holding back since the few days passed. Then, the two pull away to gaze into each other's eyes before leaning in to share one passionate and heartwarming kiss. They intertwine hands as Naotora falls on her back on the grass, letting Mai be on top of her and kisses her again and again. Soft moans are heard from both of them as their tongues caress each other with each kiss. When they pull away to catch their breath, they gaze into each other's eyes once again. Naotora lifts up her hand to caress the brunette's cheek while tears are still falling. She cannot stop crying from Mai being a true girlfriend. And that's alright. Mai is there to comfort her and wash away all the sadness. The two of them kiss again passionately, but for a brief moment before pulling away again.

"Nao-chan…" Mai whispers.

"M-Mai-chan…" Naotora whispers back, having a small smile on her face.

The two intertwine hands as Mai lies right beside her beloved. They lean in, but just half-way before opening their mouths.

"I love you…" they say in unison quietly.

And then, they share one last, heartwarming kiss.