A Helping Hand

Pairing: Mai x Reo x Kazumi (OC)

Genre: Friendship/Romance

Disclaimer: I do not own Sono Hanabira or any of its characters.

Author's Note: I would like to thank Mike for introducing this OC character to me, but I had the idea of Mai and Reo meeting her just for the sake of content. I know I call them the Overrated Ones, but I will admit, Reo's the most amusing one cause of her tsundere personality.

Enjoy!

Reo sighs as she walks out the door of her apartment. It's another day of school and she's supposed to meet her girlfriend, Mai, outside. She doesn't want to, but she has to. She starts to turn around when the door to her room opens and out comes a very beautiful woman with long brown hair and grey eyes. She is wearing a white sweater with a long blue skirt, black socks that seem to be a mystery to her. She is startled from the sudden appearance and backs away a little to notice a young man heading out the door. This woman seems to be a wife of the young man. They hug and kiss each other good-bye and the young man leaves. Reo cannot help but look at the young woman, who is waving to her husband. She then turns to notice a petite blonde girl, standing nervously.

"Oh…could you be my neighbor?" the young woman's voice is soft and gentle. Reo could almost swoon at the sound of it.

"Umm…y-yes…" the petite blonde says quietly. She doesn't do well with new people.

"I moved here about a week ago," the young woman says. "Sorry if I surprised you."

"N-no…you're fine," Reo has a hard time looking at the woman in the eye. However, she looks up to see the woman approaching her and leaning down to her level. "Ah…"

"Are you…a little kid? Oh, are you heading to school?" the young woman asks.

"Urk…!" Being called that makes her irritated. However, this woman is kind and gentle. She wouldn't dare lash out or screech at her right at their first meeting. "I…I do have to get to school. I'm not….a little kid."

"Well…at the very least, let me take you downstairs, okay?" the young woman says.

Reo just nods. It'll be nice just to hang out with her a little longer to take a good look at her more. The two of them head down until they get to the entrance. Mai is standing there waiting while looking at her phone. She looks up from the sound of footsteps. She sees her girlfriend, and a beautiful young woman beside her.

"Oh, who is this, Reo?" Mai asks.

"Um…" The petite blonde looks up at the woman, who giggles.

"I'm so sorry~" the young woman cups a hand to her cheek. "I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Kazumi. I am just a housewife that moved to this girl's next door apartment."

"Nice to meet you, Kazumi-san~" Mai says. "Thanks for bringing Reo here. My name is Mai Sawaguchi. I was wondering what took her so long."

"I apologize for holding you up," Kazumi says. "But here she is. Have a nice day, you two."

"See ya!" Mai waves and the gently takes her girlfriend's hand. "Say good-bye to this kind woman, Reo~"

Reo turns to Kazumi and gives a small smile, waving. Kazumi waves back and the couple head to school.

Later*

"So~" Mai says after the lecture ends. "Reo, you saw this woman this morning, right? She looked very lovely~!"

"O-of course she's lovely," Reo says.

"We should see her again soon," Mai says. "I want to talk to her. Get to know her a bit!"

"Eh!?" Reo squeaks.

"I mean, I'm interested in her, you know~?" Mai says. "Aren't you as well?"

"N-no…not really…" Reo blushes.

"Ehhhh~?" Mai grins. "You're actually taking a liking for her, too~?"

"S-stupid!" Reo turns her head away, closing her eyes. "You think I like some stranger? You must be crazy!"

"Ehehe!" Mai giggles. She pats her lover on the head. "Come on. If we ever see her again, let's try and talk with her together. Sound good~?"

Reo's face goes redder. The fact that Mai offered to talk to this woman right beside makes her heart beat. Of course, she won't admit it. Instead, with her back still turned to Mai, she smiles a small smile. Mai looks to the side and sees that smile on her lover's face and just smiles in return.

Classes come and go and finally, Mai and Reo can go home. Mai has contacted her parents, telling them that she's going to be hanging out with Reo again tonight. They gave her the "OK" and Mai happily hugs her girlfriend, causing the petite girl to blush.

"Not so close, stupid!" she screeches.

"Why not~?" Mai says. "I'm very eager to spend time with my most favorite girl in the world~"

Reo gets redder. "Y-y-you idiot!? Why say that out loud!?"

"Still denying it, huh~?" Mai says. "Oh, well. No need for that right now. We got to meet this woman again! Let's go and see if she has time to talk!"

"W-wait, Mai!" Reo says.

Later*

Mai and Reo are at Kazumi's front door. The short haired girl knocks on the door and the two wait for an answer. In a matter of a few seconds, the door opens and Kazumi pops up. She sees the two of them at her front door, greeting her with smiles on their faces.

"Oh, hello, you two," she says. "What can I do for you?"

"We just wanted to visit you again~" Mai says. "Do you have time to hang out for a little bit?"

"Actually…I do," Kazumi says. "My husband won't be home until late, so, I have plenty of time to sit and chat~"

"Really~? Awesome!" Mai says. "Did you hear that, Reo? Kazumi-san's going to stay and talk with us for a while!"

Reo nods with a small smile on her face.

"Why don't I go to Reo-san's room and chat?" Kazumi offers.

"Why go to my room?" Reo asks. "Can't we just go in yours and get it over with?"

"Now, Reo," Mai frowns.

"It's fine," Kazumi says. "I have cooked my own dinner and put the rest in the fridge for my husband if he wants anything to eat. I wanted to go to your place to cook you two some dinner if you hadn't eaten already."

"Oh! Well, we'd be glad to have you cook for us~!" Mai says. "We would like to try your dishes. Reo and I went shopping a couple days ago, so you should have plenty of ingredients."

"Great! Let's go~!" Kazumi says.

The three of them head to Reo's apartment room and Kazumi gets right to work. Meanwhile, Mai is helping setting up the table while Reo is playing on her phone while sitting at the table. The sound of sizzling and tapping of the wooden spoon is heard. The food she is cooking smells very delicious. Mai and Kazumi talk while the young woman is cooking as well. Reo just watches the two enjoy themselves and she just smiles a small smile. Kazumi is truly a very kind woman. She is glad that Mai has convinced her to meet the young woman again.

Once the food is ready, they place the food on the table and they say Grace. They dig into their food. Mai and Reo take the first bite and hum happily at the taste. The chicken with noodles and veggies and seasoning Kazumi made tastes so delicious.

"Wow! You cook very well!" Mai says.

"I have never tasted anything like this before!" Reo says and digs into her food some more.

Kazumi giggles. "I'm very glad you like it. There's plenty, so don't hold back~"

Mai looks to her girlfriend, who is happily eating pretty much everything. "Wow, Reo is actually eating her veggies."

"She doesn't like them?" Kazumi questions.

"No, she only likes the good stuff," Mai chuckles. "Meat, all junk food, the works. But I think we got it down pretty well. Reo is eating healthy for once."

Kazumi giggles. "I'm very glad I could be of help~!"

The three continue eating, having some second and maybe third helpings of Kazumi's delicious food. Pretty soon, the food is all gone and Mai goes to help Kazumi wash and dry the dishes.

Reo sits there at the kitchen table, watching. She is mostly eyeing Kazumi. She's just so beautiful. Why can't she take her eyes off of her? She loves Mai with all her heart yet…she's eyeing another woman. Though, Mai is also liking Kazumi as well. It's not so bad once she thinks about it.

"Hm? Reo-san?" Kazumi asks. "Is there something you need?"

Reo blushes and slightly turns away. "N-nothing. It's none of your concern…"

"Hmm…okay," Kazumi says as she and Mai finish up washing the dishes.

Once the dishes are done, the young woman is about to leave. Reo gasps and rushes toward her to grab her wrist.

"Hm? What's the matter?" Kazumi asks.

Reo's face goes redder. "U-uhh….err…well, ummm…" She struggles to find the words. "A-are you…gonna…well…"

Kazumi giggles. "Are you trying to ask if I'm going to visit again~?"

Reo only nods.

Kazumi smiles, turns toward Reo and kneels down to cup her hands to the petite girl's cheeks. "I live next door, remember? You can ring my doorbell if you need anything. My husband is away most of the day, so I'm free whenever. Okay?"

Mai nods in agreement. "See, Reo? You don't have to wait for anything. But…" She eyes the older woman. "You sure you want that from her? I don't want her to take advantage of you."

"I don't mind at all," Kazumi shakes her head. "Reo-san seems like a lonely girl, so I can come over anytime." She pets the petite blonde. "How does that sound?"

Reo blushes again. She slightly turns away. "W-well…i-i-it's not like…I want you around, you know?"

Mai giggles. "What I think my girlfriend is trying to say that she will love it if you were to visit her anytime she wants~"

"M-Mai!" Reo squeaks.

"Then, it's a deal~" Kazumi says. She leans in and kisses Reo on the forehead. "Be well, Reo-san. Keep being a good girl~"

Reo gives a shy smile and nods. Kazumi then turns to Mai and kisses her on the forehead.

"Thanks for your help," Kazumi says. "I sure hope I get to see you, too."

"Oh, absolutely~!" Mai replies with a smile. "I'm practically with Reo almost every day!"

"That's great to hear~" Kazumi straightens up and heads for the door. "I'll see you two later then~"

Mai and Reo wave to the beautiful young woman as she leaves the apartment. After the door closes, Mai lets out a happy sigh.

"Haaaah~" Mai hugs the petite girl from behind. "Alone at last~!"

"M-Mai!?" Reo squeaks. "C-can you get off!?"

"But I haven't hugged you since Kazumi-san was here~!" Mai says. "I wanna cuddle you until I'm satisfied~!"

"How long's that going to be?"

"Who knows~?"

Reo blushes red and growls. "Grrr…! Mai no baka! You just cannot control yourself can you!?"

"Speak for yourself~" Mai says.

The two fall silent for a moment. They head toward the bed and sit in the middle with Mai still hugging Reo from behind, cuddling her. Reo doesn't fight it and just lets her girlfriend do what she wants.

"Hey," Mai says softly. "So…what do you think of Kazumi-san?"

"Wh-what do you mean?"

"It may just be me but…" Mai leans closer. "Are you…in love with Kazumi-san?"

Reo blushes heavily. "Wh-wh-what makes you say that!? I am not!"

"You were staring at her for quite some time~"

Reo falls silent, looking away. She reaches up and holds Mai's arms that are wrapped around her.

"Well~?"

"…ove….her…"

"Eh?"

"I…d-do…love…her…." Reo's voice is super quiet.

"Whaaaat~?" Mai says. "Can't hear you~"

Reo grunts and then takes a deep breath, then exhales. "Fine! I love her! I love her, alright!? Happy!?"

Mai smiles and then kisses her on the cheek. "Better. In fact, just to let you know…" She caresses her girlfriend's cheek. "I think I'm in love with her, too~"

"Y-you're just saying that because you like her cooking…" Reo says.

"Not at all~" Mai says. "I am truly in love with her. I love everything about her."

"Th-then…."

"Yes, Reo~" Mai kisses her on the lips. "We should both tell her how we feel some time. When we are ready, okay?"

Reo turns to her girlfriend. "Both of us? Like…n-never leaving each other's side? Together?"

Mai nods with a reassuring smile. "We'll confess our feelings together when the time comes. I promise you that~"

"Oh, Mai…"

Both lean in and share a passionate, loving kiss.