Author's Note: I deliberated a lot with myself on how long this chapter would be, and what would be the content. I decided that it should be a sort of side chapter, as it deals with Hayate more than Nanoha, and its quite short. Anyway, this will also set a few things into motion, which will come into play soon enough, so its not all filler. With that said, this should tide you over until I come up with a real chapter. Enjoy.

The Red Strings Encompassing Fate's Flower

Keiko Yanagiri

Chapter 3.5: Enter Hayate

A month has passed since I first met Nanoha. It seemed to go by so quickly, but at the same time, it was like the month had lasted an eternity already.

I spent a lot of my free time with Nanoha now, and learned a lot about her, though it felt like I still had a lot to learn, and a lot that I wanted to learn about her.

As a result of my recent busyness, I've neglected Hayate, and she was none too happy about that. That's why, I invited her over to my house. Nanoha was here as well, but that's just what Hayate wanted, she wanted to see the girl who "stole her Fate-chan away" as she put it.

Hayate arrived not long after she called and whined about being lonely, and even when I saw her face, she was sulking a little.

"Welcome Hayate. Nanoha's upstairs, try not scare her away."

"Hmph, I'm not that kind of petty side character."

"Yeah yeah." I escorted her upstairs, and opened the door to my bedroom. Nanoha straightened up, and gave her best smile. This felt like a marriage interview with her acting so nervous.

"Hello. I'm Nanoha Takamachi, nice to meet you!" Hayate, who a moment ago looked ready to storm the room, seemed to be at a loss for words.

"Hayate."

"R-Right." After recovering, she blushed and introduced herself. After we sat down, Mother brought us tea and snacks.

The air was a little odd. It felt like Hayate was sizing Nanoha up, getting a good read on the girl. Of course this was making her uncomfortable, since she never really had much contact with others.

Finally, Hayate sighed, and gave a defeated smile. Her hands were also shaking.

"Damn it, she's so cute, I wanna hug her!" And she lunged at Nanoha, engulfing her. Immediately I yanked my idiot friend off.

"As you can see, Hayate is like that. She sees a cute girl and acts like an idiot."

Nanoha of course, embarrassed, blushed heavily, and for a moment, I think I knew how Hayate felt. She was so small, so cute, that you did want to hug her.

But I chased those thoughts away and reprimanded Hayate some more about respecting someone's personal space before letting her go.

Things finally calmed down enough for Nanoha to talk about her life some more, and to learn a little about mine. The whole time I couldn't help but watch her, inhale every word she said, and notice how happy she looked about even the smallest things.

Before I knew it, Hayate was getting up to go home.

"You're leaving already?"

"Yeah, I'm sure Vita will get lonely if I'm gone for too long." She said, refering to her cousin, who acted like a jealous little sister half the time. "Never mind that, come here for a sec." She led me outside, and closed the door so that Nanoha couldn't see.

"Whats this about, Hayate?"

"I get it, I understand now Fate-chan." I had no idea what she was talking about, but the grin on her face was unnerving. "I get why you've been spending so much time with Nanoha-chan. She's really beautiful, don't ya think?"

My face flared up, and I was about ready to deny it, even though it was true that I thought she was pretty.

"What are you getting at?" I had my suspicions, but I needed to be sure.

"You like her right? I could see the way you look at her, Fate-chan!"

I knew it.

"First of all, be quiet." She was being too loud, and this was the last thing I wanted Nanoha to hear. "Second, I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm not like that. Both you and Alicia, why are you both idiots?"

Hayate sighed, shaking her head from side to side.

"Whatever you say, my sweet, delusional Fate-chan." She patted on me on the shoulder, and it kind of pissed me off. Nevertheless, she quickly made her retreat and finally left.

I felt tired from that interaction, but sucked it up and went back into my room, where Nanoha waited.

She was blushing, so I figured she probably heard.

"Don't listen to that idiot, she's only joking around." She nodded. I looked at her for longer than I should have, still twisted up by Hayate's words. She squirmed under my gaze and I finally came back to reality.

And so the day passed without any more incidents, and Nanoha soon went home as well. On the way out, I watched her walk down the street, escorted by Mother who wanted me to start working on m homework rather than walk Nanoha home.

She really was pretty, even when I couldn't see her face. I lingered for a moment more, my face completely red, and then turned around and went back inside.