Hiro's tantrum

Hiro lay sprawled under the shade of a tree, one leg bouncing lazily as he hummed a tune. The February breeze was cool but not unpleasant, and for once, he found himself at peace.

That peace was shattered by a familiar voice.

"You look awfully relaxed, Hiro," Panda said, ambling over with a curious tilt of his head.

Hiro shrugged, not bothering to sit up. "Things have been boring since Yuta left for Africa. He was the only real bro around here."

Panda looked affronted. "Excuse me? Inumaki and I are men too, you know."

Hiro snorted, finally deigning to crack one eye open. "A panda and a guy who only says 'salmon' aren't exactly the manly companionship I'm after. And with that idiot Hakari getting himself expelled, and his shy little sidekick transferring out... pickings are slim, you know?"

Panda hummed thoughtfully, settling down next to Hiro. "Why not spend more time with Maki, then? She is your girlfriend, after all."

Hiro sighed, letting his eye fall shut again. "I'd love to, but she's not exactly the cuddly type. We only really hang out when we're training. To be honest, I'm kind of hiding from her right now."

Panda laughed, the sound a deep, warm rumble. "Well, at least we'll have some fresh blood next month. The first-years are coming in."

Hiro made a face, his nose wrinkling. "Yeah, but I heard it's just two of them. Some girl and that arrogant prick, Fushiguro."

"You'll be a second-year," Panda reminded him. "It's your job to be a good senpai."

Hiro's response was a single, raised middle finger.

Just then, Inumaki wandered over, his expression as placid as ever. "Salmon?" he asked, which could have meant anything from "What are you guys talking about?" to "I'm hungry."

Hiro sat up, a look of realization crossing his face. "Valentine's Day? Shit, that is coming up, isn't it?"

Panda nodded sagely. "What are you going to get Maki?"

Hiro shrugged, looking unconcerned. "I don't know, some chocolates or something? She's not really into that mushy stuff."

Panda frowned, his furry brow furrowing. "That might be fine if you were just friends, but you guys have been dating for a while now. You should probably do something a bit more... meaningful."

Hiro waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, she's not into that. Trust me."

"Maybe she's just shy," Panda suggested. "Girls can be like that, you know."

Hiro looked skeptical, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. With a sigh, he hauled himself to his feet, stretching his arms above his head.

"Fine, I'll ask Gojo if he has any ideas. The man's a hopeless romantic, he's bound to have some suggestions."

Inumaki, who had been quietly observing the conversation, suddenly perked up. "Tuna mayo," he said, which was Inumaki-speak for "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Hiro paused, considering. "I mean, it's not like we have a lot of other options. What other teachers do we have? Nanami-sensei kind of scares me, and Shoko..."

He trailed off, his eyes widening. Then, a slow, mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Actually, that's perfect. I can ask Shoko! She's a woman, she's bound to have some insight into the mysterious workings of the female mind."

Panda and Inumaki exchanged a look, both of them clearly skeptical of this plan. But Hiro, oblivious to their doubt, was already striding away, a new spring in his step.

"Catch you later, guys!" he called over his shoulder. "I've got a doctor to see about a girl."

Panda watched him go, shaking his head. "This should be interesting," he mused.

Inumaki nodded solemnly. "Bonito flakes," he agreed.

Meanwhile, Hiro had made his way to the infirmary, his mind racing with possibilities. Shoko was cool, right? She was laid-back, easygoing. Surely she'd have some good advice.

He knocked on the door, waiting for a response. When none came, he cautiously poked his head inside.

"Shoko-san?" he called out, stepping into the room. "Are you here?"

At first glance, the infirmary seemed empty. But then Hiro spotted Shoko, sitting at her desk with her back to the door. She seemed to be fiddling with something in her hands, her attention completely absorbed.

Hiro cleared his throat, trying to get her attention. "Uh, Shoko-san? Sorry to bother you, but I was hoping to get some advice..."

Shoko turned, blinking at him in mild surprise. Hiro saw that she had been playing with her hair, twisting it idly around her fingers.

"Hiro," she said, her voice warm and slightly amused. "What a surprise. What brings you to my domain?"

Hiro shuffled his feet, suddenly feeling awkward. "Well, uh... it's about Maki. And Valentine's Day. I'm not really sure what to do, or get her, or... anything, really."

Shoko's expression softened, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She gestured for Hiro to take a seat, which he did, perching on the edge of one of the infirmary beds.

"Ah, young love," she said, a twinkle in her eye. "It can be confusing, can't it? Especially when you're dealing with someone as unique as Maki."

Hiro nodded fervently, relieved that someone seemed to understand his plight. "Exactly! She's not like other girls. She's tough and independent and... I don't know, I feel like anything I do will just annoy her or make her think I'm weak."

Shoko chuckled, shaking her head. "You know, you remind me a lot of Satoru when we were your age. He was always trying to impress everyone, to prove how strong and cool he was."

Her expression turned fond, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "But you know what really made people drawn to him? What made him such a good friend?"

Hiro leaned forward, eager for any scrap of wisdom. "What?"

Shoko smiled. "It was the moments when he let his guard down. When he showed his real self, his caring side. When he made people feel seen and appreciated for who they were."

She reached out, patting Hiro's knee in a motherly gesture. "That's what you need to do for Maki. Show her that you see her, the real her. That you appreciate her for who she is, not just what she can do."

Hiro bit his lip, his brow furrowing as he tried to process this advice. "But how do I do that? Maki's not exactly the most open person. Half the time, I feel like I barely know her."

Shoko's smile turned mischievous. "Well, that's the challenge, isn't it? You have to pay attention, Hiro. Notice the little things. What makes her smile? What makes her eyes light up? When does she let her guard down, even just for a moment?"

Hiro's eyes widened, realization dawning. He thought of the rare times he'd seen Maki truly happy - when she mastered a new technique, when she beat him in a spar, when he brought her her favorite snacks after a long mission.

Small moments, easily missed. But they were there, if you knew where to look.

Slowly, a grin spread across Hiro's face. He jumped to his feet, startling Shoko.

"Shoko-san, you're a genius!" he exclaimed, grabbing her hands in his excitement. "I know exactly what to do now!"

Shoko laughed, squeezing his hands before gently extracting them from his grip. "I'm glad I could help, Hiro. Just remember - be genuine, be observant, and above all... be yourself. Maki likes you for you, even if she doesn't always show it."

Hiro nodded, his chest swelling with a new sense of purpose. "I will. Thank you, Shoko-san. For everything."

He turned to leave, his mind already whirling with plans and ideas. But before he could reach the door, Shoko called out to him one last time.

"Oh, and Hiro?"

He glanced back, quirking an eyebrow.

Shoko grinned, a playful glint in her eye.

"Good luck. And have fun! Young love is a beautiful thing."

Hiro laughed, giving her a jaunty salute.

"I'll do my best, Shoko-san. Thanks again!"

And with that, he was gone, striding out of the infirmary with a newfound spring in his step and a heart full of hope.

Hiro strolled through the school hallways, his eyes scanning for any sign of Maki. His mind was still buzzing with Shoko's advice, trying to piece together the perfect Valentine's Day plan.

Suddenly, a familiar figure materialized beside him, a wide grin stretching across his face.

"So, I heard you went to Shoko for advice," Gojo said, his voice teasing. "What's up with that?"

Hiro shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Oh, yeah. Something like that."

Gojo clutched his chest, a look of mock hurt on his face. "And why didn't you come to me? I thought we were like father and son!"

Hiro raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Well, I was looking for a female perspective, you know?"

Gojo laughed, reaching up to remove the bandages from his eyes. He replaced them with his signature sunglasses, the lenses glinting in the light.

"Fair enough. But you do realize Shoko's a bit of a spinster, right? Are you sure you want to follow her advice?"

Hiro paused, considering. "I mean, she made some good points..."

Gojo's grin widened, his arm slinging around Hiro's shoulders. "Listen, my golden boy. You're an amazing guy. You need amazing advice, from an equally amazing person. Like yours truly."

Hiro couldn't help but chuckle. Gojo's confidence was infectious. "I guess that makes sense."

"Of course it does! So here's what you do. You need to remind Maki just how incredible you are, and how lucky she is to have you."

Hiro's brow furrowed, a hint of doubt creeping in. "That sounds like a terrible idea."

Gojo waved a dismissive hand. "When have I ever steered you wrong?"

"Never, but-"

"Exactly! So here's the plan. You're going to get a can of gasoline, some duct tape, a piñata, and a jar of peanut butter."

Hiro blinked, confusion written across his face. "I get the rest, but... peanut butter?"

Gojo's smile turned sly. "Trust me, that's the best part."

Just then, Nanami rounded the corner, his expression stern as always. He took one look at Gojo and Hiro and sighed.

"Hiro, whatever you do, don't listen to a word this man says. His love life is about as successful as a rock's."

Gojo pouted, looking affronted. "Come on, Nanami! Don't ruin the fun!"

Nanami adjusted his glasses, his eyes narrowing. "Stop messing with the students, Satoru. It's not a game."

Gojo held up his hands in surrender, but the mischievous glint never left his eye.

Nanami turned to Hiro, his expression softening slightly. "The best thing you can do, Hiro, is just be yourself. Maki likes you for who you are."

Hiro nodded slowly, processing this new information. "So... no gasoline?"

"No gasoline," Nanami confirmed. "No explosions, no electricity, no frogs. They're still cleaning up the projection room from your last scheme to get permission from Principal Yaga."

Gojo snickered at the memory. "That was a good one, though."

Hiro ran a hand through his hair, looking more lost than ever. "Now I'm just confused."

Nanami placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Just get her a thoughtful gift and take her out for a nice meal. It doesn't have to be complicated."

Hiro took a deep breath, nodding. "You're right. I'll go find her now. Thanks, Nanami-sensei."

Nanami gave him a rare smile, patting his shoulder before walking away.

With renewed determination, Hiro set off to find Maki. His search eventually led him to the training grounds, where Panda and Inumaki were lounging on the grass, taking a break from their exercises.

Hiro plopped down beside them, his brow furrowed in thought. "Hey guys, what do girls like? You know, as gifts and stuff."

Panda looked up, his head tilting. "Lying, mostly."

Inumaki nodded sagely. "Salmon," he agreed.

Hiro rolled his eyes. "I meant like, actual physical gifts. Or date ideas."

He sighed, flopping onto his back and staring up at the sky. "Why am I even asking you two? I should just call Momo."

Panda and Inumaki exchanged a look, shrugging.

Hiro pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts until he found Momo's number. He hit the call button, putting the phone to his ear.

It rang once, twice, three times. Just as Hiro was about to hang up, a cheerful voice answered.

"Hiro! What a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Hiro sat up, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Hey, Momo. I need some advice. It's about Maki."

"Ooh, trouble in paradise?" Momo teased, her voice lilting with amusement.

Hiro chuckled, shaking his head even though she couldn't see. "No, nothing like that. It's just... Valentine's Day is coming up, and I want to do something special for her. But I'm kind of at a loss."

Momo hummed thoughtfully. "Well, what does Maki like? What are her interests?"

Hiro paused, considering. "Fighting, mostly. Training. Being the best."

There was a beat of silence. Then Momo burst out laughing, the sound bright and bubbly even through the phone.

"Oh, Hiro. You're hopeless."

Hiro felt his face heat up, glad that Momo couldn't see his blush. "Hey, it's not my fault! Maki's not exactly a typical girl."

"No, she certainly isn't," Momo agreed, her voice still tinged with laughter. "But that's what makes her special, isn't it?"

Hiro smiled softly, his heart warming at the thought. "Yeah. Yeah, it is."

"So use that," Momo advised. "Think about what makes Maki unique, what makes her happy. And then find a way to celebrate that."

Hiro's brow furrowed, his mind racing. What did make Maki happy? Fighting, obviously. The thrill of a challenge, of pushing herself to her limits and beyond.

But there were other things too. The quiet moments after a long day of training, when they would sit together and just talk. The way her eyes lit up when he brought her favorite snacks, or when he remembered some small detail she'd mentioned in passing.

The rare, precious times when she let her guard down, when she let him see the softer side behind the stoic exterior.

Slowly, an idea began to form. A plan that was equal parts ridiculous and perfect.

"Momo," Hiro said, a grin spreading across his face. "You're a genius."

Momo laughed, the sound warm and knowing. "I try. Now go get your girl, tiger."

Hiro chuckled, his chest swelling with a new sense of purpose. "Thanks, Momo. I owe you one."

"Just don't screw it up," Momo teased. "Or you'll have me to answer to."

With that, she hung up, leaving Hiro staring at his phone with a smile.

He had work to do. A lot of work. But for Maki... it would be worth it.

Pocketing his phone, Hiro leapt to his feet, startling Panda and Inumaki.

"Wish me luck, boys," he said, already starting to jog away. "I've got a Valentine's Day to plan."

Panda and Inumaki watched him go, identical looks of bemusement on their faces.

"He's doomed," Panda remarked, shaking his head.

"Bonito flakes," Inumaki agreed solemnly.

But Hiro paid them no mind. He had a mission, a purpose.

He was going to give Maki the best Valentine's Day ever, even if it killed him.

Here is the scene you requested, written in English with a focus on descriptive language, dialogue, and actions, without a summary at the end:

The days flew by in a blur of anticipation and preparation. Before Hiro knew it, Valentine's Day had arrived, the air thick with the scent of roses and the buzz of excited whispers.

He woke early, taking extra care with his appearance. His golden hair shone like the sun, each strand meticulously styled. His blue eyes sparkled like the clear summer sky, a mischievous glint dancing in their depths.

With a bouquet of crimson roses clutched in his hand, Hiro set off through the school, his stride confident and purposeful. He searched high and low, poking his head into classrooms and common areas, but Maki was nowhere to be found.

"Ah, where did she go?" Hiro muttered to himself, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

Finally, as a last resort, he made his way to her dorm room. He knocked on the door, his heart hammering in his chest.

"Come in," a muffled voice called from within.

Hiro pushed open the door, a smile already spreading across his face. But the sight that greeted him made him pause.

Maki lay in bed, her face pale and drawn. She looked up at him, her eyes glassy and tired.

"What's wrong, light of my life?" Hiro asked, his brow furrowing in concern. "Why are you still in bed?"

Maki sighed, pushing herself up on her elbows. "I'm sick, you idiot."

Hiro blinked, taken aback. "No way. You're kidding, right?"

Maki shot him a withering glare, and Hiro flinched, holding up his hands in surrender.

"Ah, sorry, sorry! I mean... are you okay? What's wrong?"

He pulled a chair close to her bedside, sitting down and leaning forward, his elbows on his knees.

Maki flopped back against her pillows, closing her eyes. "Do I look okay to you?"

Hiro winced, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Right. Stupid question."

A heavy silence fell between them, thick with unspoken disappointment. Hiro fidgeted, unsure what to say.

Finally, Maki broke the silence, her voice soft and apologetic.

"I know you had plans for today. For Valentine's Day. I'm sorry for ruining them."

Hiro's heart clenched at the genuine regret in her tone. He smiled softly, reaching out to place the bouquet of roses on her bedside table.

"Nonsense," he said, his voice warm and sincere. "Just being with you is enough to make it a perfect day."

A faint blush colored Maki's cheeks, and she ducked her head, trying to hide a pleased smile.

"Thank you," she murmured, reaching out to touch one of the velvety petals.

Hiro watched her, his heart swelling with affection. Even sick, with her hair mussed and her face bare of makeup, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

An idea struck him, and he leaned forward, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips.

"Hey, Maki... can I kiss you?"

Maki's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "I'll get you sick, you dummy."

But Hiro just shrugged, his smile never wavering. "I don't care. It's worth it."

For a long moment, Maki just stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded.

Hiro's heart leapt, and he wasted no time in closing the distance between them. He cupped her face gently, his thumbs stroking over her cheekbones.

Then, with a tenderness that belied his usual bravado, he kissed her. It was a soft, sweet thing, full of warmth and unspoken promises.

When they parted, Hiro rested his forehead against Maki's, a giddy smile on his face.

"You know," he said, his voice low and playful, "I think I'll be your personal nurse today. You should feel lucky, having someone as dashing as me to take care of you."

Maki snorted, but there was a fondness in her eyes that made Hiro's heart skip a beat.

"I don't know if I'd call it luck," she teased, but there was no real bite to her words.

Hiro just grinned, settling back in his chair and taking her hand in his.

"Well, lucky or not, you're stuck with me. I'm not going anywhere."

And he meant it. Sick or healthy, rain or shine... he would always be there for Maki. Always be by her side, ready to face whatever challenges life threw their way.

____________

Here's the scene you requested, written in English with a focus on dialogue, actions, and descriptive language:

Hiro sat on the train, his lips pursed as he whistled a cheerful tune. The rhythmic clacking of the wheels against the tracks filled the air, a steady backdrop to his impromptu concert.

Beside him, Principal Yaga sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Remind me again," he said, his voice strained, "why you're coming with me to the Kyoto branch?"

Hiro grinned, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Because I heard some guy over there took out a bunch of special grade curses. One of their students, and they're calling him the best sorcerer of this generation. MY generation." He crossed his arms, his face settling into a petulant scowl. "It's simply unacceptable."

Yaga's eyebrows rose, disappearing into his hairline. "I see. And why is Maki here?"

Maki, seated across from them, rolled her eyes. "Someone has to keep an eye on this blond idiot," she said, jerking her thumb towards Hiro.

Yaga nodded slowly, then turned his gaze to Inumaki, who was staring out the window with his usual placid expression.

"And Inumaki? What's your reason for coming?"

Inumaki glanced over, blinking owlishly. "Salmon," he said, as if that explained everything.

Yaga slumped back in his seat, pressing a hand to his forehead. "This is going to be a disaster," he muttered under his breath.

A few hours later, they were strolling through the grounds of the Kyoto school, Hiro's head swiveling as he tried to take in everything at once.

"Where's Momo?" he wondered aloud, his brow furrowing. "I thought she'd be here to greet us."

Maki side-eyed him, a strange expression on her face. "You seem awfully fond of your cousin," she remarked, her tone carefully neutral.

Hiro shrugged, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. "Well, she used to cover for me a lot back in the States. Got me out of more than a few tight spots."

Just then, a woman with short green hair and the Kyoto school uniform - a dress with a daring slit up the leg - sauntered over to them. She looked them up and down, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Well, well," she drawled, "if it isn't the oddities from Tokyo."

Hiro's eyes widened, his gaze raking over her figure appreciatively. "Damn," he breathed, flashing her his most charming smile. "Hey, gorgeous. Got any plans tonight?"

Maki's fist connected with the back of his head, and he yelped, rubbing the sore spot.

"Sorry," he muttered, shooting Maki a sheepish grin. "Force of habit."

Maki ignored him, her eyes locked on the green-haired woman. "What are you doing here, Mai?" she asked, her voice flat.

Mai shrugged, examining her nails with a bored expression. "Heard you were coming. Thought I'd welcome you personally."

Principal Yaga cleared his throat, looking around. "Where is Principal Gakuganji?" he asked, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

Mai pointed towards a nearby building. "In his office," she said, not taking her eyes off Hiro.

Yaga nodded, striding off in the indicated direction. The moment he was out of earshot, Hiro sidled up to Mai, his grin turning sly.

"Hey, beautiful. I feel like I've seen you somewhere before. Have we met?"

Momo, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, smacked him upside the head.

"I've told you a thousand times, idiot. She's Maki's twin sister."

Hiro blinked, rubbing his head. "Oh, right. I forgot about that little detail."

Inumaki, watching the exchange with a blank expression, suddenly piped up. "Bonito flakes," he said, his tone suggestive.

Hiro choked, his face turning red. "Yeah, no, Inumaki. I don't think Maki's up for that kind of thing."

Mai, meanwhile, had stepped closer to Hiro, her fingers trailing along his jawline in a playful caress.

"My, aren't you a handsome one," she purred, her eyelashes fluttering. "Want to grab a drink sometime?"

Hiro shivered, his eyes going wide. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Momo, looking thoroughly unimpressed, crossed her arms. "Give it up, Mai. He's Maki's boyfriend."

Mai's gaze flicked to Maki, her lip curling in a sneer. "That four-eyes? You do know she doesn't have cursed energy, right?"

Maki stiffened, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Not like you make much difference with yours," she shot back, her voice dripping with venom.

Mai's face twisted, rage sparking in her eyes. "What did you just say?"

The two sisters glared at each other, the air between them practically crackling with hostility.

Hiro, sensing an opportunity, stepped between them, holding up his hands in a placating gesture.

"Now, now, ladies," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "There's no need to fight over me. There's plenty of Hiro to go around."

Tree sets of eyes turned to him, each filled with varying degrees of disgust and disbelief.

"Shut up, Hiro," they said in unison, their voices blending into a single, exasperated chorus.

Hiro blinked, taken aback. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face.

"You know," he said, slinging an arm around Maki's shoulders, "I think this trip is going to be a lot more interesting than I thought."

Here's the scene you requested, written in English with a focus on dialogue, actions, and descriptive language:

Momo turned to Hiro, her eyebrows raised in a questioning look. "By the way, why did you come here? I doubt it was just to see me or meet Mai."

Hiro cleared his throat, looking a bit sheepish. "Well, actually, I came to meet the guy who took out several special grade curses."

Mai perked up, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Ah, you must be talking about Aoi Todo."

Hiro snapped his fingers, his eyes lighting up. "No idea who that is, but if it's him, take me to him."

Mai sidled closer to Hiro, batting her eyelashes. "Or we could go to my room instead..."

Hiro opened his mouth, looking sorely tempted, but Inumaki slapped a hand over his face, muffling his response.

"Bonito flakes," Inumaki said, his tone stern.

Hiro pried Inumaki's hand off, giving him a grateful look. "Thanks, buddy. That was a close one."

Maki was watching the exchange, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Hiro shot her a nervous grin, trying to look innocent.

Momo, sensing the rising tension, clapped her hands together. "Alright, come on. I'll take you to him."

They walked for a few minutes, arriving at a spacious part of the school where the sun's rays seemed to hit a little less harshly. Momo cupped her hands around her mouth, calling out.

"Hey, Todo! Someone's here to see you!"

A tall, muscular man with spiky hair paused in his training, turning to face them. He jogged over, wiping sweat from his brow.

"What's up, Momo?" he asked, his voice deep and rumbling.

Momo pointed at Hiro, who was trying his best to look tough and imposing (and failing miserably).

"This guy wanted to meet you."

Hiro stepped forward, puffing out his chest. "I heard you're strong, so I came to see for myself. And to make it clear that I'm the strongest sorcerer of our generation."

Maki sighed, rubbing her temples. Todo looked Hiro up and down, his expression unreadable.

"Alright," he said finally, cracking his knuckles. "I'll grant you a duel. But only if you answer this question correctly."

Hiro grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Bring it on, big guy."

Todo's face turned serious, his eyes boring into Hiro's. "What's your type of girl?"

Hiro blinked, his mouth falling open. "What kind of stupid question is that?" he sputtered, looking thoroughly nonplussed.

Todo crossed his arms, his biceps bulging. "It tells me what kind of man you are."

Hiro sighed, running a hand through his hair. He glanced at Maki, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"I like strong, determined women. The kind who always keep me in line."

Todo stared at him for a long moment, then shook his head, looking disappointed. "How boring. I'm not going to fight you."

Hiro's jaw dropped, his eyes bugging out of his head. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN?" he shouted, his face turning red. "FINE, WHAT'S YOUR TYPE THEN?"

Todo shrugged, a dreamy look crossing his face. "Tall women with big asses."

Hiro nearly choked on his own spit, sputtering with indignation. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THAT'S PURELY PHYSICAL, YOU GIANT ANIMAL!"

Todo turned away, waving a dismissive hand. "At least I'm honest. Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do."

As he started to walk away, Maki leaned over to Hiro, her voice soft.

"I thought your answer was sweet," she murmured, her cheeks pink.

But Hiro, in a desperate bid to salvage his pride, cupped his hands around his mouth, yelling after Todo's retreating back.

"WAIT, I'LL TELL YOU THE TRUTH! I LIKE GIRLS WITH BIG ASSES, WIDE HIPS, SHORT HAIR, AND GLASSES!"

Momo wrinkled her nose, looking disgusted. "That's... weirdly specific."

Todo paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Sorry, you weren't honest the first time. No fight for you."

And with that, he was gone, disappearing around the corner.

Hiro, his face purple with rage, shook his fist at Todo's receding figure.

"YEAH, WELL, YOU'RE PROBABLY A VIRGIN! WITH THAT UGLY MUG AND STUPID PINEAPPLE HAIR, I BET YOU'VE NEVER EVEN SEEN A REAL ASS!"

But his words fell on deaf ears, Todo long out of sight. Hiro stood there, chest heaving, looking thoroughly humiliated.

Maki, her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow at him. "Short hair, huh? So you don't like my hairstyle?"

Hiro blanched, his anger evaporating in the face of Maki's displeasure.

"Uh... sorry?" he offered weakly, giving her a sheepish grin.

Maki just shook her head, turning on her heel and striding away. Momo and Mai followed, both of them snickering under their breath.

Hiro watched them go, his shoulders slumping. He turned to Inumaki, who was watching the whole scene with a blank expression.

"I really screwed that up, didn't I?" he asked, his voice small.

Inumaki just shrugged. "Salmon," he said sagely.

Hiro sighed, running a hand down his face.

_______________

Principal Gakuganji and Principal Yaga sat across from each other, sipping tea with an air of calm professionalism. But beneath the surface, a tension hung in the air, a sense of unspoken concerns.

Gakuganji set down his cup, his expression grave. "I heard the higher-ups have abandoned the idea of executing Yuta Okkotsu. After his fight with Geto, he's become incredibly powerful. Only Yuki and Gojo could possibly handle him now, and I highly doubt they'd be willing."

Yaga nodded, a small, relieved smile playing on his lips. "That's good to hear."

But Gakuganji wasn't done. He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "However... there are new rumors circulating. Apparently, the higher-ups have taken a keen interest in this Miller boy. The fact that he was personally trained by Gojo and managed to hold his own against Geto has put him on their radar."

He paused, his eyes boring into Yaga's. "Word is, they want to equip him with highly classified weapons and task him with the order to execute Yuta Okkotsu. They fully believe he has the potential to become even stronger."

Yaga shook his head, looking unconcerned. "I wouldn't worry about that. Hiro is the type of person who would sooner set the school on fire than betray one of his friends."

Gakuganji raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. "You believe that? In the world of jujutsu sorcery, things are rarely as they seem."

Yaga sighed, setting down his own cup. "I know. But how do I put this... Hiro is... unique. In all the wrong ways."

Just then, the door burst open with a bang, making both principals jump. Hiro stormed in, his face twisted in fury, with a nervous-looking Inumaki trailing behind him.

"WHERE'S THE FUCKING PRINCIPAL OF THIS STUPID SCHOOL?" Hiro roared, his eyes scanning the room.

They landed on Gakuganji, and he jabbed a finger in the older man's direction. "IS THAT YOU, YOU OLD PERVERT?"

Gakuganji blinked, looking thoroughly taken aback. "Pervert?"

Yaga buried his face in his hands, a long-suffering groan escaping his lips.

Hiro, completely ignoring Yaga's distress, stalked up to Gakuganji, slamming his hands on the table.

"LISTEN UP, OLD MAN. BECAUSE OF YOUR PERSONAL APE, I WAS HUMILIATED AND MAKI GOT MAD AT ME. SO YOU BETTER ORDER ALL YOUR STUDENTS TO FIGHT ME, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!"

Yaga's head snapped up, his eyes wide with disbelief. "WHAT KIND OF LOGIC IS THAT? HIRO, I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO ANYTHING STUPID!"

Hiro spun to face him, his face red with rage. "IT'S ALL THAT MONKEY AOI TODO'S FAULT!"

Yaga stood up, his own anger rising to match Hiro's. "SHOW SOME RESPECT TO YOUR ELDERS, YOU SPOILED BRAT!"

Hiro gaped at him, sputtering with indignation. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SPOILED? YOU'RE THE CRAZY ONE WEARING SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT AND INDOORS!"

Gakuganji, who had been watching the exchange with a mix of confusion and growing alarm, leaned over to Yaga.

"Who is this boy?" he asked, his voice low.

Yaga sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The infamous Hiro Miller," he muttered, sounding like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Hiro, meanwhile, had turned back to Gakuganji, his hands crackling with electricity.

"BRING ME YOUR STUDENTS, OLD MAN, OR I'LL BLOW UP THIS WHOLE FUCKING SCHOOL. ENHANCED TECHNIQUE: AZURE LIGHTNING!"

A ball of electric blue energy began to form in Hiro's palms, the air around him whipping into a frenzy. Inumaki, his eyes wide with panic, started shouting.

"SEAWEED! SEAWEED!" he yelled, which was Inumaki-speak for "EVERYBODY TAKE COVER!"

Hiro, completely oblivious to the chaos he was causing, just kept ranting. "THIS IS ALL THAT APE'S FAULT!"

Gakuganji, looking like he was seriously regretting every life choice that had led him to this moment, held up his hands in a placating gesture.

"Why do you want to fight Aoi so badly?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

Hiro rounded on him, his eyes wild. "BECAUSE THEY SAID HE WAS THE STRONGEST SORCERER OF THIS GENERATION. BUT THAT'S ME!"

Yaga, finally reaching his breaking point, slammed his fist on the table.

"I MEANT HE WAS THE STRONGEST OF HIS GENERATION IN KYOTO! OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE STRONGER, IF YOU CAN BLOW UP HALF THE CITY WITH THAT DAMN ATTACK!"

Hiro gaped at him, looking affronted. "STOP YELLING AT ME! I'M JUST A STUDENT AND YOU'RE THE PRINCIPAL!"

Yaga looked like he was about two seconds away from throttling Hiro with his bare hands. Gakuganji, sensing impending disaster, quickly interjected.

"Now, now," he said, his voice soothing. "I'm sure we can resolve this without resorting to violence. Hiro, was it? Why don't you tell me exactly what happened with Aoi, and we'll see if we can't find a solution."

Hiro, still bristling with anger, took a deep breath. Then, in a voice that was only slightly less ear-splitting than before, he launched into his tale of woe.

"THAT MUSCLE-BRAINED GORILLA INSULTED ME! HE ASKED ME WHAT MY TYPE WAS, AND WHEN I GAVE HIM AN HONEST, HEARTFELT ANSWER, HE SAID IT WAS BORING! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT SHIT?"

Gakuganji blinked, looking like he was trying very hard to follow Hiro's logic and failing miserably.

"I... see," he said slowly. "And this led to Maki getting angry with you, how exactly?"

Hiro deflated slightly, some of the wind going out of his sails.

"Well... I may have... in a moment of desperation... yelled out that I like girls with big asses, wide hips, short hair, and glasses."

There was a beat of silence. Then, Yaga spoke, his voice flat.

"Hiro. Maki has long hair."

Hiro winced, looking suddenly sheepish. "I know that! I was just trying to impress Todo! I didn't mean it!"

Yaga sighed, looking like he'd aged ten years in the span of this conversation.

"Hiro, I say this with all the respect and affection I can muster. You're an idiot."

Hiro opened his mouth to argue, but Gakuganji cut him off with a raised hand.

"I think," he said, his voice firm, "that the best course of action here is for you to go and apologize to Maki. Sincerely and profusely."

Hiro deflated further, all the fight seeming to drain out of him. "But... what about Todo?" he asked, his voice small.

Gakuganji shook his head. "Forget about Todo. He's not important right now. What's important is fixing things with your girlfriend."

Hiro looked like he wanted to argue, but a stern look from both principals had him swallowing his words. He nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Fine," he muttered, sounding for all the world like a sulky child. "I'll go apologize to Maki."

Yaga nodded, looking relieved. "Good. And Hiro?"

Hiro glanced up, meeting his principal's gaze.

"If you ever burst into another principal's office, threaten to blow up their school, and call them a pervert again... I will personally see to it that you spend the rest of your days cleaning toilets with a toothbrush. Do I make myself clear?"

Hiro gulped, nodding frantically. "Crystal, sensei."

With that, he turned and slunk out of the office, Inumaki trailing behind him. The door closed with a soft click, leaving the two principals alone once more.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then, Gakuganji let out a low whistle.

"That boy... he's really something else, isn't he?"

Yaga just groaned, burying his face in his hands once more.

"You have no idea," he muttered, his voice muffled. "No idea at all."

And as the two principals sat there, the weight of the future heavy on their shoulders...