The days of Hiro

Hiro's eyelids fluttered open, the harsh fluorescent lights of the infirmary assaulting his vision. He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut again as a wave of pain washed over him. Every inch of his body felt bruised and battered, like he'd been run over by a truck.

"Well, well, look who's finally awake," a familiar voice drawled from beside him.

Hiro turned his head, wincing at the stiffness in his neck. Gojo was sitting in a chair next to his bed, his long legs stretched out in front of him, his hands folded behind his head.

"Where am I?" Hiro croaked, his voice hoarse and raspy.

Gojo grinned. "The infirmary. Our lovely Shoko patched you up. You were in pretty rough shape."

Hiro reached up to touch his head, feeling the bandages wrapped around his skull. Memories of the fight came flooding back - Naoya's brutal onslaught, the taste of blood in his mouth, the sickening crack of bone.

"Where are the Zenin?" he asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Gojo's grin widened. "Back in Kyoto. They wiped the floor with you, kid."

Hiro let out a rueful chuckle, then immediately regretted it as pain lanced through his ribs. "Yeah, I guess they did. Looks like I still have a lot of training to do."

Gojo leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Tell me, Hiro. Why do you want to be strong?"

Hiro blinked, taken aback by the question. He frowned, considering his answer.

"Honestly? I'm not entirely sure," he admitted after a moment. "I just don't like the idea of anyone being stronger than me, I guess."

Gojo nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You know, being the strongest isn't always as fun as it seems. Sometimes, people start to see you as more of a weapon than a person."

Hiro was quiet for a long moment, letting Gojo's words sink in. He'd never really thought about it that way before.

"I guess you're right," he said finally. "But even so, there will always be people who see you for who you really are, not just what you can do."

Gojo's smile softened, his eyes taking on a distant, almost wistful look. Hiro got the feeling he was remembering something - or someone.

Shaking himself out of his reverie, Hiro glanced around the infirmary. "Where's Momo?" he asked, suddenly realizing his cousin was nowhere to be seen.

"She stay in Kyoto" Gojo replied, leaning back in his chair. "I told her you'd text her when you woke up."

Hiro nodded, already reaching for his phone on the bedside table. Then he paused, a sudden thought occurring to him.

"And Maki?" he asked, trying to sound casual. "Where's she?"

Gojo's grin turned sly. "Oh, you know. Around," he said with a vague wave of his hand. "Who knows what that girl gets up to."

Hiro frowned, a strange feeling stirring in his chest. It wasn't like Maki to just disappear, especially after something like this.

He shook his head, pushing the thought away. Maki was a big girl. She could take care of herself. And besides, it wasn't like they were close or anything. She probably just had better things to do than sit around waiting for him to wake up.

Even so, he couldn't quite shake the feeling of disappointment that settled in his stomach.

With a sigh, he picked up his phone and started typing out a message to Momo, letting her know he was okay.

A few days after being discharged from the infirmary, Hiro found himself wandering the school grounds. His body was still sore, but the restlessness in his soul was harder to ignore.

His feet carried him to the training area, and as he approached, he heard the telltale sounds of someone already inside. Curiosity piqued, he poked his head around the door.

There, in the middle of the room, was Maki Zenin. She was moving through a series of complex forms, her staff whirling around her in a blur of polished wood. Her movements were fluid and graceful, each strike precise and controlled.

Hiro leaned against the doorframe, content to just watch. There was something mesmerizing about the way Maki moved, a deadly beauty in her dance.

Suddenly, Maki stopped. Without turning around, she spoke. "What are you staring at?"

Hiro grinned, pushing off from the doorframe and sauntering into the room. "You," he said simply.

Maki spun to face him, her staff coming to rest gently on the top of his head. She gave him a light tap, more playful than painful.

"Idiot," she murmured, but there was no heat in her voice.

She sat down cross-legged on the mat, gesturing for Hiro to do the same. He complied, easing himself down with a slight wince. His ribs were still tender.

Maki eyed him, her gaze inscrutable behind her glasses. "Why did you fight the Zenin?" she asked abruptly.

Hiro shrugged, looking away. "I don't know. It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Maki snorted. "If you think that's how you're going to win me over, you're wasting your time. I'm not impressed by reckless displays of machismo."

To her surprise, Hiro laughed. It was a real laugh, warm and rich and genuine.

"You're pretty narcissistic, you know that?" he said, grinning at her. "Not everything is about you."

Maki blinked, taken aback. Hiro leaned back on his hands, his face turning serious.

"Sometimes, I just like to test myself," he said, his gaze distant. "Back in the States, there aren't many sorcerers who can really challenge me. I guess I got used to being the strongest."

He looked at Maki, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "Coming here, meeting people like Gojo and the Zenin clan... it's been a wake-up call. I've got a lot to learn."

Maki was quiet for a long moment, considering his words. She'd never really thought about what it must be like for Hiro, being so far from home, in a place where everything was different.

"I get it," she said finally. "Wanting to prove yourself, to push your limits. I feel the same way."

Hiro looked at her, surprised. Maki wasn't usually one for heart-to-hearts.

Maki looked away, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "But that doesn't mean you should be reckless," she said gruffly. "You could have gotten seriously hurt. Or worse."

Hiro's expression softened. "Aww, Maki. Were you worried about me?"

Maki scowled, shoving at his shoulder. "As if. I just don't want to have to explain to the higher-ups why one of our students got himself killed in a stupid fight."

But even as she said it, she knew it wasn't entirely true. The sight of Hiro's broken body, the fear that had gripped her heart... it wasn't something she could just brush off.

Hiro, to his credit, didn't push. He just nodded, his smile turning understanding.

"I'll be more careful," he promised. "No more picking fights with powerful jujutsu clans. Scout's honor."

Maki rolled her eyes, but she couldn't quite hide her smile. "You were never a Boy Scout."

Hiro grinned, winking at her. "You don't know that. I could have been. I'd look pretty cute in the uniform, don't you think?"

Maki just shook her head, standing up and retrieving her staff. "You're impossible," she said, but there was a fondness in her voice that hadn't been there before.

As she turned to leave, Hiro called out after her. "Hey, Maki?"

She paused, glancing back over her shoulder.

Hiro's smile was soft, his eyes warm. "Thanks," he said simply.

Maki felt something flutter in her chest. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and hurried out of the training room.

But as she walked away, she couldn't quite suppress the smile that tugged at her lips.

Hiro Miller was still an idiot.

But maybe, just maybe, he wasn't quite as bad as she'd thought.

Hiro pushed himself to his feet, wincing slightly as his sore muscles protested. He hurried out of the training room, catching up to Maki in the hallway.

"Hey, Maki, wait up!" he called.

Maki paused, turning to face him with a raised eyebrow. "What do you want, Miller?"

Hiro grinned, falling into step beside her. "I was just thinking, it's about lunchtime. Want to grab a bite to eat?"

Maki frowned, opening her mouth to refuse. But before she could say anything, her stomach let out a loud, embarrassing gurgle.

Hiro's grin widened as Maki's face turned a brilliant shade of red. She crossed her arms over her stomach, glaring at him as if daring him to comment.

But Hiro, for once, showed a modicum of tact. He just smiled, waiting for her answer.

"Fine," Maki grumbled finally. "But we're getting burgers. None of that fancy crap."

Hiro's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I've noticed you have a thing for junk food," he said as they started walking. "You're always scarfing down fries and candy when you think no one's looking."

Maki's blush deepened. She hadn't realized anyone had been paying that much attention to her eating habits.

"It's not like that," she said defensively. "We just haven't had any missions lately, so we haven't been getting paid. I'm only accepting your offer because I'm broke, not because I want to spend time with you or anything."

Hiro nodded, his expression serious. "Oh, of course. It's purely a financial arrangement. No other motives whatsoever."

But the twinkle in his eye told a different story. Maki scowled, punching him lightly on the arm.

"Shut up," she muttered. "Let's just go get food."

Hiro rubbed his arm, still grinning. "Your wish is my command, milady."

As they walked out of the school gates together, Hiro couldn't help but feel a warmth spreading through his chest.

This was progress. Maki Zenin, the ice queen herself, was actually agreeing to spend time with him outside of school. Sure, she was insisting it was only because she was hungry and poor, but still. It was a start.

And as he watched her out of the corner of his eye, saw the way the sunlight glinted off her hair and the tiny smile she was trying so hard to suppress, he knew one thing for certain.

He'd buy her all the burgers in the world if it meant he could keep making her smile like that.

"So," he said as they walked, "tell me more about this junk food addiction of yours. What's your favorite candy bar? No, wait, let me guess. Snickers? No, you strike me as more of a Twix girl..."

Maki groaned, rolling her eyes skyward as if praying for patience.

What had she gotten herself into?

Hiro and Maki sat in a booth at the fast food restaurant, their trays piled high with burgers and fries. Maki was attacking her food with gusto, barely pausing to breathe between bites.

Hiro watched her, a mixture of amusement and admiration on his face. "So," he said casually, "what's the deal with you and the Zenin clan? Why all the bad blood?"

Maki paused mid-bite, her expression turning guarded. She chewed slowly, considering her answer.

"I'll tell you," she said finally, putting down her burger. "But only because you bought me food."

Hiro grinned, leaning forward. "I'm all ears."

Maki sighed, reaching up to remove her glasses. "I was born with a Heavenly Restriction," she said, her eyes meeting Hiro's. Without her glasses, they were a striking golden color, almost luminous in the dim light of the restaurant.

"I have no cursed energy. That's why I wear these." She tapped the frames of her glasses. "They allow me to see curses."

Hiro nodded, his expression serious. He'd heard of Heavenly Restrictions before - rare conditions that granted immense physical prowess at the cost of cursed energy.

"My family looked down on me because of it," Maki continued, her voice turning bitter. "They saw me as a failure, a disgrace to the Zenin name. So I left. I decided I'd show them that I could be a great sorcerer, even without cursed energy."

She smiled then, a fierce, determined thing. "I can't wait to see their stupid faces when I surpass them all. Thanks to my Heavenly Restriction, I have incredible physical abilities."

Hiro chuckled. "So that's how you beat me in that race. And here I thought I was just having an off day."

Maki rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "What about you?" she asked, turning the question back on him. "Why do you want to be a sorcerer?"

Hiro leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms behind his head. "No particular reason," he said with a shrug. "I just think I look good doing it."

Maki stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. "What kind of answer is that?" she managed between giggles.

Hiro grinned, unapologetic. "An honest one. I'm always honest, even when it makes me look bad."

Maki shook her head, still chuckling. "You're too honest. It's going to get you in trouble one day."

She took a sip of her soda, eyeing him over the rim of the cup. "Well?" she said. "Aren't you going to say it? 'Poor Maki, looked down on by her family.' I know you're thinking it."

But Hiro just shook his head, his expression sincere. "Nah," he said softly. "You're strong, Maki. You don't need pity. Besides, if it wasn't for your situation, I might never have met you. And that would've been a real shame."

Maki felt a warmth blooming in her chest. She ducked her head, hiding her smile behind her burger.

"Idiot," she mumbled. But there was no bite to it. If anything, she sounded almost... fond.

Hiro just grinned, stealing a fry from her tray. "You know you love me," he teased.

Maki swatted at his hand, but she was laughing. And in that moment, surrounded by the smell of greasy food and the sound of Hiro's laughter, she felt lighter than she had in a long time.

As they walked back to the school, Hiro couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He'd managed to have a full conversation with Maki Zenin without her storming off or threatening bodily harm. That was progress in his book.

"You know," he said casually, "I've noticed you don't really talk to anyone at school. What's up with that?"

Maki shrugged, her expression neutral. "I'm here to learn, not to make friends."

Hiro grinned, nudging her with his elbow. "But you talk to me. Does that make me special?"

Maki rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself, Miller. I tolerate you, nothing more."

But even as she said it, she knew it wasn't entirely true. She did more than tolerate Hiro. She found him... not entirely unpleasant to be around. He was annoying, sure, and his ego was the size of Tokyo Tower. But he was also funny and sharp and had a way of making her feel at ease.

Not that she'd ever admit that to him, of course.

"Tolerate, huh?" Hiro said, his grin widening. "I guess I'll take it. It's a step up from active hatred, at least."

Maki snorted. "Don't push your luck."

They reached the school gates and paused, an awkward silence falling between them. Maki shifted on her feet, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

"Well," she said stiffly. "Thanks for the food."

Hiro waved a hand dismissively. "Anytime. Maybe next time we can even call it a date."

Maki glared at him. "It wasn't a date. It will never be a date."

Hiro held up his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Message received. Friends it is, then."

Maki blinked. Friends? Is that what they were?

She'd never really had friends before. She'd always been too focused on training, on proving herself. She didn't have time for silly things like hanging out and sharing secrets.

But standing there with Hiro, the word didn't seem so silly anymore. It felt... nice. Like something she could maybe get used to.

Not that she was going to let Hiro know that, of course.

"We're not friends," she said, but the words lacked their usual bite. "We're... classmates. Acquaintances, at best."

Hiro just smiled, that infuriatingly knowing smile that made Maki want to punch him and hug him at the same time.

"Whatever you say, Zenin," he said, turning to walk away. "I'll see you around, acquaintance."

Maki watched him go, a strange mix of emotions swirling in her chest. Annoyance, definitely. But also something else. Something warm and fuzzy that she absolutely refused to put a name to.

She shook her head, turning to head into the school. She had training to do, techniques to perfect. She didn't have time to dwell on confusing feelings and blond-haired, blue-eyed boys who didn't know when to quit.

But even as she threw herself into her practice, she couldn't quite shake the memory of Hiro's smile, or the way her heart had skipped a beat when he'd called her his friend.

Damn that Hiro Miller. Damn him and his stupid, perfect face.

She was Maki Zenin, the pride of the Zenin clan, the wielder of the Playful Cloud. She was strong and fierce and independent.

She didn't need friends. And she definitely didn't need Hiro Miller.

...Right?

Hiro lounged on his bed, phone pressed to his ear, a self-satisfied grin on his face as he listened to Momo's concerned voice on the other end of the line.

"Hiro, are you really okay? I heard the Zenin clan did quite a number on you."

Hiro chuckled, ignoring the twinge of pain from his bruised ribs. "I'm fine, Momo. Nothing I can't handle. But guess what? I scored a date with Maki Zenin today."

There was a long-suffering sigh from Momo. "Hiro, what exactly are your intentions with this girl?"

Hiro shrugged, though Momo couldn't see it. "Same as always. She's a challenge, a trophy to be won. You know how I love a good conquest."

"And what happens when you inevitably get bored and move on, like you always do? Will you just drop her like yesterday's news?"

"Well, yeah," Hiro said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "That's how it works. I'm not in this for the long haul, Momo. You know that."

"But Hiro, you fought the strongest members of her clan just to impress her. That seems a bit excessive, even for you."

Hiro scoffed. "That had nothing to do with her. I just wanted to test my own strength, see how I measured up."

Momo clearly wasn't buying it. "Hiro, I'm serious. What's your endgame here?"

Hiro rolled his eyes. Why was everyone suddenly so interested in his love life?

"There is no endgame," he said, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. "Maki's just another girl, another notch in my bedpost. Sure, she's playing hard to get, but that just makes the chase more fun."

"You're unbelievable," Momo said, and Hiro could practically hear her shaking her head. "You know, my friend, the one I introduced you to? She's still crying over you. You can't keep treating girls like this, Hiro."

Hiro laughed. "Still? That was ages ago. She needs to get over it and move on, just like I have."

"You're missing the point! You can't keep hurting people like this, Hiro. It's not right."

Hiro sighed, running a hand through his hair. Momo just didn't get it. Girls like Maki, girls who put up a fight, who didn't fall at his feet like all the others... they were the ultimate prize. And he always got his prize, one way or another.

"Look, Momo, I appreciate the concern, but I know what I'm doing. Maki's no different from the rest. She's just another challenge to conquer, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. When Momo spoke again, her voice was tired and a little sad.

"Just... be careful, Hiro. Don't do anything stupid."

After hanging up, Hiro tossed his phone aside and stretched out on his bed, wincing a little at the pull on his injuries. Momo worried too much. He had everything under control.

Maki Zenin was going to be his greatest victory yet. He could feel it in his bones.

And when he was done with her, when he'd had his fun and grown bored, he'd move on. Just like he always did.

It was nothing personal. It was just the way the game was played.

And Hiro Miller never lost.

Hiro pushed himself off the bed, restless energy thrumming through his veins. He needed to move, to do something. Without really thinking about it, he found himself heading towards the training grounds.

Night had fallen, the campus quiet and still. Hiro walked across the grass, his feet carrying him to a secluded corner of the grounds. He stopped, taking a deep breath of the cool night air.

The conversation with Momo kept replaying in his head. The fact that there were sorcerers out there stronger than him, like the Zenin clan... it both excited and frustrated him. He had so much further to go, so much more to prove.

"This technique," he murmured to himself, "it's only been in my head until now. It's dangerous, but maybe it's time to give it a try."

Closing his eyes, Hiro began to concentrate. Electricity started to crackle around him, enveloping his body in a halo of sparks. Then, slowly, the visible energy began to diminish, until only tiny flickers remained, dancing across his skin.

Hiro could feel the power coursing through him, contained within his body. It was exhilarating, but also terrifying. He pushed more energy into it, trying to maintain control.

But it was too much. Suddenly, the electricity exploded outward, coursing through Hiro's body in a violent surge. He screamed, falling to his knees as pain ripped through every nerve ending.

He could smell his own flesh burning, the acrid scent of singed hair and skin. Panting, he pushed himself back to his feet, cursing under his breath.

"Damn it!"

A laugh rang out across the training grounds. Hiro spun around to see Maki emerging from the shadows, a can of soda in her hand.

"Talking to yourself, Miller? That's the first sign of insanity, you know."

Hiro scowled, his pride stinging almost as much as his body. "What are you doing here, Zenin?"

Maki held up her soda, giving it a little shake. "Vending machine run. But then I heard your little self-pep talk and couldn't resist coming to watch the show."

Hiro's scowl deepened. "Glad I could provide entertainment," he snapped.

Maki shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. Her eyes flickered over him, taking in the burns on his skin, the tattered remains of his shirt.

"That looks painful," she said, her voice carefully neutral.

Hiro shrugged, trying to play it off. "Nothing I can't handle."

Maki hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. She turned as if to leave, then paused, glancing back over her shoulder.

"You know, if you're going to keep electrocuting yourself, you might want to invest in some rubber shoes. Just a thought."

With that, she walked away, disappearing back into the darkness as silently as she'd come.

Hiro stared after her, his heart pounding in his chest. Damn that girl. Damn her and her mocking smile and her piercing eyes that seemed to see right through him.

He looked down at his hands, still trembling from the aftershocks of his failed technique. He had a long way to go, a lot of work to do.

But somehow, with Maki's challenge ringing in his ears, he felt more determined than ever.

As the weeks passed, Hiro and Maki found themselves in each other's company more and more often. They trained together, ate together, and even studied together on occasion. It was an odd friendship, full of bickering and teasing and the occasional thrown punch, but a friendship nonetheless.

One particularly sunny afternoon, Panda and Inumaki were lounging on the grass, enjoying the warm weather. Panda was munching on bamboo shoots while Inumaki was quietly reading a book.

Suddenly, Panda perked up, nudging Inumaki with his elbow. "Hey, look at that."

Inumaki glanced up from his book, following Panda's gaze. There, walking across the campus grounds, were Maki and Hiro. They seemed to be deep in conversation, Maki gesticulating wildly while Hiro laughed at whatever she was saying.

"Those two have been spending a lot of time together lately," Panda remarked, chewing thoughtfully on his bamboo. "You think something's going on there?"

Inumaki shrugged. "Salmon," he said, which could have meant anything from "I don't know" to "It's none of our business."

Panda wasn't deterred. He watched as Hiro said something that made Maki roll her eyes and punch him in the arm. Hiro just grinned, rubbing the spot where she'd hit him.

"I never thought I'd see the day," Panda mused. "Maki Zenin, actually tolerating someone's presence. And Hiro Miller, of all people."

Inumaki made a noncommittal noise, already turning back to his book. But Panda couldn't seem to let it go.

"I mean, think about it," he said, waving his bamboo shoot for emphasis. "Hiro's always been a player, right? And Maki's always been so focused on training and proving herself. But now they're like, inseparable."

He paused, a sudden thought occurring to him. "You don't think they're... you know?"

Inumaki glanced up again, raising an eyebrow. "Bonito flakes," he said dryly.

Panda chuckled. "Yeah, you're right. Maki would never go for a guy like Hiro. She's too smart for that."

But even as he said it, he couldn't help but wonder. There was something different about the way Hiro looked at Maki, something softer and more genuine than his usual flirtatious smirks. And Maki, for all her eye rolls and sharp retorts, seemed to have a fondness for the American that went beyond mere tolerance.

"Still," Panda said, more to himself than to Inumaki. "It's interesting, don't you think? How people can surprise you."

Inumaki hummed, flipping a page in his book. "Kelp," he agreed.

Across the grounds, Maki and Hiro had stopped walking, now standing face to face under a large tree. Hiro was saying something, his expression uncharacteristically serious. Maki was listening intently, her brow furrowed.

Then, to Panda's utter shock, Hiro reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind Maki's ear. It was a small gesture, but intimate, and Maki...

Maki didn't pull away. In fact, unless Panda was mistaken, she almost seemed to lean into the touch.

"Holy shit," Panda breathed. "Inumaki, are you seeing this?"

But Inumaki, engrossed in his book, merely grunted. "Tuna mayo."

Panda shook his head, a slow grin spreading across his face. Well, well, well. It seemed there was more to Hiro and Maki's relationship than met the eye.

He settled back on the grass, contentment washing over him. Life at Tokyo Tech was never boring, that was for sure.

Panda, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, called out to Maki and Hiro. "Hey, you two! Come over here for a sec!"

Maki and Hiro exchanged a glance, then started walking towards their friends. But before they could get too far, Maki subtly stuck out her foot, tripping Hiro. He stumbled, nearly face-planting into the grass before catching himself at the last second.

"What the hell, Zenin?" he grumbled, dusting himself off.

Maki just smirked, continuing on her way. Hiro followed, grumbling under his breath.

As they reached Panda and Inumaki, Panda wasted no time in getting to the point. "So, Maki," he said, his tone sly. "We couldn't help but notice you've been spending an awful lot of time with our resident American heartthrob lately. What's up with that?"

Maki raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "Between hanging out with a smelly panda and a guy who can only speak in rice ball ingredients, I think the choice is clear, don't you?"

Panda gasped, affronted. "I do not smell!"

"You totally do," Maki countered. "Have you ever seen a panda take a shower? Because I sure haven't."

"That's because I'm a panda!" Panda exclaimed, throwing his paws up in exasperation. "Pandas don't sweat!"

Hiro, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, chimed in. "He's got a point, you know."

Maki reached over and yanked Hiro's ear, causing him to yelp. "Whose side are you on?" she demanded.

Hiro held up his hands in surrender, grinning despite the pain in his ear. "The side of truth and justice, obviously."

Maki rolled her eyes, releasing Hiro's ear with a final, warning twist. Hiro rubbed the sore spot, still smiling.

Inumaki, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up. "Natto," he said, which could have meant "You two are ridiculous" or "Pass the soy sauce."

Panda, not to be deterred, pressed on. "But seriously, Maki. You and Hiro? I never would have guessed it."

Maki's expression turned dangerous. "There is no 'me and Hiro'," she said coldly. "We're just friends. Barely even that."

Hiro clutched his chest, his expression mock-wounded. "You wound me, Zenin. And here I thought we had something special."

Maki scoffed. "In your dreams, Miller."

But Panda couldn't help but notice the way her cheeks flushed slightly, the way her eyes darted away from Hiro's dramatically pouting face.

Interesting. Very interesting.

Before he could comment further, however, Maki abruptly changed the subject. "Anyway, don't we have class to get to? We're going to be late if we keep standing around gossiping like old ladies."

Hiro checked his watch and cursed. "Shit, she's right. Gojo's going to have our heads if we're late again."

The four friends quickly gathered their things and set off towards the school building, Maki in the lead with Hiro close behind. Panda and Inumaki followed at a more leisurely pace, Panda still mulling over what he'd just witnessed.

"Rice," Inumaki said sagely, as if reading Panda's thoughts.

Panda nodded. "You said it, brother. Those two are totally into each other."

Inumaki just shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Salmon roe," he said, which Panda took to mean "They're both too stubborn to admit it."

As Panda, Inumaki, Maki, and Hiro made their way to class, Panda couldn't help but bring up the hot topic of the day. "Did you guys hear? There's a new student starting today."

Hiro's eyebrows shot up in interest. "Oh yeah, I think I heard something about that. Wasn't he the guy who supposedly crammed four dudes into a locker at his old school?"

Maki, overhearing, glanced back with a bored expression. "Did he kill them?"

Panda shook his head. "Nah, but I heard they were in pretty bad shape. Seems like this new guy is a real troublemaker."

Maki shrugged, unfazed. "Well, if he tries to pull any of that crap here, he'll have to deal with me."

Inumaki, who had been quietly observing, suddenly spoke up. "Bonito flakes," he said, giving Maki a meaningful look.

Maki frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Panda, catching on, grinned mischievously. "I think he's pointing out how you let Hiro flirt with you and get away with being obnoxious, even though he's like, the most arrogant dude in Japan."

Hiro, far from being offended, looked utterly delighted by this revelation. Maki, on the other hand, turned a violent shade of red.

"I do not let him get away with anything!" she snapped, glaring daggers at Inumaki. "He's just an annoying pest that won't leave me alone!"

Hiro clutched his heart dramatically. "You wound me, my dear Maki! And here I thought we had something special."

Maki rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful. "In your dreams, Miller."

Inumaki just shook his head sagely. "Salmon roe," he said, which could have meant anything from "You're both idiots" to "Pass the soy sauce."

Hiro, undeterred by Maki's harsh rebuff, slung an arm around her shoulders. "Come on, Maki, admit it. You're totally into me."

Maki elbowed him hard in the ribs, causing him to yelp and release her. "Touch me again and I'll break your arm," she said sweetly.