[C] Jealousy

Mai’s shift ended early, so she decided to drop by her girlfriend’s place of employment so that they could go home together. When she arrived to the skyscraper building, she hesitated a little before walking through the revolving doors. She has only ever been here twice before in all the time that Nao has been employed here, so it made her a little uneasy that she was dropping in with no real business.

As soon as she walked in, she noticed a brunette at the front desk, smiling to no one in particular as she glanced around the lobby area. As soon as she was spotted, the receptionist widened her smile just slightly and welcomed her to the building. “How may I direct you?”

“Um, I’m looking for Yuuki Nao. Is she still here?” the orange-haired woman asked uncertainly.

“May I ask who’s asking for her?”

“Mai. Tokiha Mai. T-There’s no need to stop her from her work. I was just wondering how much longer her shift was.”

“One moment, Tokiha-san.”

The receptionist picked up her phone and dialed some numbers, “Yuuki-san. There is a Tokiha Mai-san inquiring about your shift hours. Yes. Yes, of course. Thank you.”

“She’s just about done. She says you can wait for her in the lobby area and she’ll be right out,” the brunette smiled.

“Thank you,” Mai replied, shuffling over to the couches nearby.

As she sat down, one of the elevator doors opened and two people emerged from it. Mai could not help but overhear their conversation as they walked by.

“That must be nice,” an office worker replied enviously to the colleague she was with. “I wish Nao-san would carry me.”

“She was unexpectedly strong. I didn’t expect her to actually be able to pick me up,” the other one replied sheepishly. “I’m really glad she was around. She really saved me.”

“Be careful when her fangirls hear about it. They won’t be happy with you,” her friend joked.

“She really is amazing though. She’s helped-- Yuuki-san!”

When Mai heard her girlfriend’s name, she instinctively turned around to search for the redhead. When she found her, she also found the two office-workers chatting with her.

“Thank you for everything today,” one of them bowed.

“Good evening, Fukuji-san, Takei-san. You’re welcome, Fukuji-san. I hope you’re doing fine now,” Mai watched her girlfriend put on a smile as she talked to them.

The one she named as Fukuji blushed slightly as she nodded her head. “Yes, thanks to you.”

“I’m glad. Take care of yourself.”

Nao was being polite. And friendly. It wasn’t something that was supposed to shock her, but for some reason, it really did. She were so used to seeing the redhead’s rough and rude side that seeing her like this made it feel like this Nao was a completely different person.

“O-Of course.”

“Ne, Yuuki-san. Are you busy tonight? Mihoko and I were just going out for a few beers. Want to join?” Takei invited.

This Nao was helpful, and likeable, and even someone that people admired. She was apparently invited out a lot and had fangirls. When she pictured Nao working, she was used to seeing bouncer Nao, not security Nao. Bouncer Nao was mean and crude and would knock someone out without a thought. Security Nao was polite and mindful of her words and actions. She smiled and replied using nice words and showed concerned for the people that she worked with.

It was weird. And almost sickening. Almost.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m going to pass tonight.”

“Yuuki-san, you never accept anyone’s invite. There is such a thing as working too much, you know.”

Nao gave a small chuckle. “Of course I know that, Takei-san. I appreciate the invitation and concern, but I’m sure I’ll manage.”

“T-Then,” Fukuji injected, her face determined. “Next time! We’ll definitely invite you again. Please really think about it.”

Without even realizing what she was doing, Mai had already stood from her seat and started walking over to the three. “Nao.”

No honorifics. Just her name. Because she was her girlfriend and she could do that. Unlike Fukuji and Takei.

“Mai,” Nao replied, smile widening.

“Are you ready to go home?” lilac-colored eyes dared lime-green to say no.

“Of course,” the redhead replied, not missing a beat. Then, she turned her attention to the two who were talking to her, “Goodnight, Fukuji-san, Takei-san.”

Goodnight’s echoed from them before Nao and Mai left the building. As soon as they were significantly out of earshot, Nao stopped them both and turned Mai so that they were face to face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing.”

“It’s nothing, okay? It was just weird seeing you be all smiley and nice to people.”

Nao was shocked for a moment, “Wait... were you... jealous?”

“What? No! That’s ridicu...lous...”

“You were, weren’t you? Because I was being nice to those two and you’ve never actually witnessed me being nice to other people before.”

“No,” Mai pouted.

“Mai... I have to be nice,” Nao poked her girlfriend’s cheek. “It’s a part of my job to get along with the people in the building. I can’t go around glaring and scowling at everyone. I’d get fired within the week.”

“I know,” she continued to pout.

“I’m sorry, I can’t change that...”

“You’re popular there. Apparently, you have fangirls,” Mai finally mumbled, causing Nao to stop her poking.

“What?”

“I heard them talk about it before you arrived. You carried one of them and the other was saying something about how your fangirls aren’t going to like that.”

“That’s silly, Mai,” her girlfriend laughed. “I’m not that good at my job. Besides, even if that was true, I still like you best.”

“Mmrrr.”

“Mrr.”

“What do you want for dinner?” the orange-haired woman asked after a some silence.

Nao began walking again, prompting her girlfriend to do the same. “Hm, how about your specialty ramen?”