Nanbaka: The Ex

First Day Back

It was Nuan's first official day back at work, and one of her last days as Nanba's Head Nurse; she had been demoted temporarily to the second-in-command Nurse Supervisor. After the attack the warden suggested she take a some time to recover, go through therapy, and when the therapist at Nanba gives her the all good, she and her temporary replacement will just switch places. Her and Samon's relationship have been very awkward these past few days, at home there's tension that would happen if they got into a fight, but they haven't been fighting. Nuan believes it has something to do with what Samon wants to say, but is probably holding back to not widen the gap between them. The couple have also been seeing the therapist as a couple, along with her individual appointment.

Nuan sat at her desk looking over some medical records of inmates, she only had about two weeks left before the new replacement would come in, which meant only a week before accepting one applicant, she was grateful that the warden was allowing her to choose the best candidate for the job. As she sat at her desk, Hajime was leaning against the doorway. He had grown fond for the much smaller, younger woman; she was hard working, sweet, just a breath of fresh air, and he still wasn't able to grasp how the monkey manage to find such a beautiful woman. Nuan remained blissfully unaware that the supervisor was standing there, her eyes behind glasses

and wearing a white open cardigan with her scrubs.

Hajime decided to knock on the doorframe to catch her attention, which made her look up from her papers.

"Oh Hajime, I didn't see you there," Nuan placed down her papers. "Were you standing there for long?"

"Not really," Hajime shrugged. "It's good to see that your back, place has been a little dull without you around. We missed you."

"Aww," Nuan smiled showing her perfect white teeth, "I've missed you guys too. Tell them they don't have to be shy, I'm still the same Nuan."

"Are you?"

Nuan sighed, she tucked a piece of hair back behind her ear. Was she the same Nuan she was before or was she just saying that to make herself feel better? 

"I am," She smiled. "Just the whole temporary demotion, and start of therapy has just gotten me a little down. But once I get a schedule going, I'll be back of track!"

Hajime just nodded at her words, if she says she's fine, then she's fine.

"Alright," Hajime pull out a cigarette. "I'll see you on your break."

As Hajime was getting ready to turn around and walk away he stopped, he look over his shoulder to see Nuan looking back at the paper work, as focused as she was before he walked in.

"Hey," Hajime was getting her attention. "You two need to go easy on each other okay?"

"Us two?" Nuan blinked in confusion.

"You and Samon," Hajime turned around putting his hands in his pockets. "I know it's not my place, or my business, but hear me out."

Nuan placed her papers down on the table, paying full attention.

"I don't like your husband, and he doesn't like me. That's pretty obvious." Hajime said. "But you know what's even more obvious? That he loves you. The time you were in the infirmary, he spent his free time wanting to be there when you woke up. He fought with himself on whether or not he should go to work, or stay with you the days after you got out. I actually felt bad for him."

Nuan slipped off her glasses and crossed her arms, as Hajime continued.

"He's been a mess," Hajime put the cigarette in his mouth. "And I can't believe I'm saying this but I actually miss the guy being a pain in my ass."

Nuan chuckled at the last part. Hajime smirked before pulling out a lighter.

"He's a lucky man, and you're just as lucky," Hajime lit the cigarette. "Don't give each other hell."

"I promise," Nuan got up from her seat. "Thank you Hajime, it would mean alot to Samon if he heard."

"Yeah, yeah," Hajime waved it off. "Just don't tell him I said any of that. I like you, not him."

Nuan let out a small laugh before looking turning to face her friend.

"My lips are sealed," She put a finger to her lips. "Have a good rest of the morning Hajime, I'll see you on break."

Hajime nodded before walking away, blowing a cloud of cigarette smoke. Nuan once again alone in one of the nurse offices, she put a folder in a filing cabinet, before grabbing out another one. She heard the same knocking noise, when Nuan turned around she saw Samon.

"Hey," Samon smiled. "How's your first day back?"

"Good," Nuan opening the folder to read its contents. "You missed Hajime."

"Thank god," Samon walked over to her. "I don't need his bullshit today."

"Be nice," Nuan looked up at her slightly taller husband. "You'd be surprised. I think Hajime's the kind of guy that can be very sweet, when he wants to be."

Samon placed a peck on her lips, he put a hand on her waist.

"I love you," Nuan looked up at him. "You know that right?"

"Of course, I love you too," Samon placed a kiss on her forehead. "I should go, Inori is probably slacking off."

Nuan watched as her husband left the office, a small smile on her face, with Hajime's words played back in her head.