#nyx-ulf

“Ne, slow down!” He tuts quietly, pursing his lips in an almost-playful pout. “Did Mom scold you? I told her not to put you on anything that I haven’t trained you in yet!”

“No, it’s not that! I’ve just been in charge of inventory so far but…” A thump. “W-what if I’m not good enough…?” 

Reiji frowns, looking down at the folder of work information on the glass table absently. He gets the impression that she isn’t specifically referring to working in the bento shop. He licks his lips. “M… Mae-chan…”

“I just wanted to hear your voice,” she admits, sounding so painfully small that his heart throbs once with worry and protectiveness and an urge to rush to his car that he knows he can’t listen to. Mae hums. “I… I’m sorry. I know you’re busy. I started breathing hard and I just… I needed to hear it.” She sniffles. “I didn’t take you away from anything, did I?”

“No.” Reiji blinks slowly and allows himself to imagine the way she looks right now. Probably leaning against the wall in the alley behind the shop. He wonders if she’s cried at all. If anyone’s noticed. She’s always good at hiding it…

He doesn’t like that. 

“Mae-chan,” he begins again, “…you know you can call me whenever you want… even if you don’t have a reason to… right, my girl?” She doesn’t respond, so he straightens up and leans over the table, voice deepening with insistence. “You know… Nii-san likes being relied on. Surely you know that.”

“But—“

“No buts!” He says in a silly, overly-sharp tone. “My girl can’t be hurting like this and then not ask for help~ It goes against Rei-chan’s desires!” He clicks his tongue and pouts teasingly. “You don’t want to make Rei-chan sad, do you?” He waits, listening to the silence.

“…it’s really not fair that you use that tone on me, Jiji! You know I can’t just… I can’t let you be hurt in any way! B-but… But this is… You shouldn’t be…” 

“It isn’t…and I am,” he teases. “Don’t worry, my girl~ I’ll always have time for you… and if I miss your call, I’ll make it up! You know I’m good at that, don’t you?” He chuckles wickedly and all but feels the heat from her face through the phone. “Now accept my assessment~! Mae-chan is…” He pauses to dance his fingertips on the table to imitate a drumroll. “Perfectly good enough!” 

“W… wha…?”

“She’s just right,” he continues, nodding and taking on his Love-sensei voice. “And she won’t get into any trouble at the shop… and she’ll…” he scratches his cheek shyly. “Sh-she’ll make… Rei-chan really proud… no. She already does.” There’s a sharp intake of breath and then another quiet, puppy-like whimper like before. He laughs. “And… you know, she’s cute, too.”

“Stop!” She squeaks. “O-okay, meter refilled! Have a good afternoon at work I love you a whole lot and want to hear your radio show later so I have to work bye-byyyye!” The line goes dead and Reiji’s left holding his phone in his hand, her number still blinking on the screen. He smiles gently and rests the phone against his lips.