Different types of people.

We stood up and resumed our walk. We tried to continue our tests in the meantime by each putting a hand inside the other’s back pocket. For me it was great. I got to casually fondle Diana’s ass while we walked. For her, though, it was a little awkward. Oh, not because she felt weird about it, but because she had to lean a bit down and to the side since I was shorter than her. In the end we went back to lewdly holding hands.

“Sorry. It’s weird walking next to me, isn’t it?” I asked her, a little self-conscious now.

“Funny, I was about to ask the same. Does it not bother you that I’m… tall?”

“No. I mean, it’s not like we can help it, so I’d much rather see the bright side of it. I… enjoy the height difference between us. But what about you? I’m a fair bit shorter than the average guy.”

Diana chuckled. “Would it weird you out if I said I enjoy it, too? I’ve always been tall for a girl, but even so most guys are still as tall or taller than me. This is… fun.”

“I admit, I kind of feel like a kid walking next to you, but I guess I sort of am,” I said with a laugh.

“I bet you have at least one more growth spurt in you.”

“Probably, but I doubt I’ll ever go past 1.75 meters, if that. I had a big one not long ago, but now I wonder if it’s Frey’s power pushing me up. Not sure I want more drastic changes like that.”

Diana chortled, and after that exchange we went quiet for a long while. It was a comfortable silence, since aside from being socially anxious, we were still introverted people. And yes, there is a difference.

As much as we wanted to have social interaction, we also enjoyed our quiet time and alone time. Even if we weren’t talking, just being together was enough. However, it did push my mind elsewhere, back to my job just earlier. Without realizing it, I found myself frowning.

“What’s wrong?” Diana suddenly asked, giving my hand a squeeze. “What were you thinking about?”

“O-Oh, nothing. Nothing important.”

“Hmm. Just earlier you said that, despite our connection, it was still better when we told you things ourselves. Do you think that doesn’t apply to you as well?”

Ugh. She got me.

“I was thinking about Isabelle. About how well she did at work today.”

Diana smiled wryly. “And you feel you should be happier about it?” Her question was likely just a formality. She probably felt my own emotions.

I nodded. “Working at the coffee shop was such a huge deal to me. My first job, and in customer service no less. It **** me to grow past my social anxiety issues just to start doing a passable job. When I started I couldn’t even properly greet customers. I preferred washing dishes and sweeping floors to waiting tables. But I had to do it all, and it was a big struggle. That job is a big reason for why I can now do things I couldn’t before. I felt really proud of myself for it. Then… Then I saw my sister doing the same without issues. She was a natural at it. Felt like all my progress was a joke. That I was struggling to get to a point where most have been all their lives.” I chuckled in self-deprecation. “If you hadn’t come by, it would’ve been a pretty depressing work day.”

“Huh. That’s how I always felt about Maria. And she says that’s also how she’s always felt about me.”

“R-Really?”

“She’s always been the social one. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have had a social life in university. It never takes her long to meet new people and make new friends. I’ve always envied that about her, and I told her that once, when we had a few cups in us. She said I was being stupid and that she was the one jealous of me. I got good grades without studying, was good at sports and picked up new skills instantly. So she claimed, at least. Sounds silly, but that was when I really understood that people do have different strengths and weaknesses. Being good or bad at any one thing doesn’t make you better or worse, it just makes you different. And that was proven again today while you two worked the same job together.”

“Ah? What do you mean?”

“Isabelle seems generally good with people. She’s not afraid to strike up a conversation with customers, asking them how their day is going, if they work nearby, what their favorite drinks or pastries are… A lot of people love that kind of service, but not everyone.”

“...”

“It happened a few times there, where Isabelle would try to talk to customers who were just there to read or have a conversation with their friends. You noticed stuff like that and drew her away by giving her other tasks, didn’t you?”

Did I do that? I suppose I did.

“You also kept covering for her when she made mistakes or didn’t know what to do. She may have natural skills you lack, but that doesn’t mean all you’ve learned was a waste. Some people, like me, prefer a waiter that gives off a friendly aura yet keeps his distance unless called. It’s why I’m excited to have you working with us at the bar. Your calm demeanor is perfect for what we have in mind.”

“...”

Well, that left me feeling pretty dumb. I was never, at any point, trying to compete with my sister at anything. I just wanted to get over my own issues for myself. It’s true I was jealous of Isabelle’s natural ability to talk to people, but I am who I am now because I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I should still be proud of what I’ve managed so far.

“Sorry,” I told Diana, caressing her hand with my thumb. “And thanks.”

“Just saying it how it is.”

Yep. And that’s why it helps.

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