Monaca Towa bonds with Makoto Naegi!

"Hey… wake up…" a voice said to Makoto.

"ugh… Just another minute…" Makoto responded, not wanting to get out of bed.

"I! Said! Get! Up!" something hard hit the back of Makoto's head, the pain enough for him to leap out of bed.

"Ouch! What was that for?!" Makoto shouted.

"You weren't getting up, so I thought a little pain should do it," Monaca answered, and gave one of her trademark little smiles to Makoto. It didn't make him feel any better.

"Get changed," Monaca ordered. "Today you'll be taking me to the shops, or did you forget about that Makoto?" Monaca let out a giggle, "It's ok though; I'll be happy to give you a friendly reminder every time you forget anything that I asked."

This is my life now… Makoto thought. I'm taking orders from a handicapped girl that's in elementary school. What has my life come to…

"Can't you be any faster?"

Makoto was still trying to untie his shoes when Monaca said that for the fiftieth time today. His mental health hasn't fully recovered from the events yesterday, and Monaca's constant pestering wasn't doing him any favours.

"I'm working as fast as I can Monaca," he replied, his hands working hard in untying his shoelaces out of their tangled mess. He was one hundred percent certain he untied them yesterday, so how did they even become like this!?

… Actually, he had a pretty good guess on how they became this way.

"Well, maybe you shouldn't have tied your shoelaces like that Makoto," Monaca said. "I've been waiting for you for five minutes. I might have to punish you if you take another minute."

As always Monaca flashed him with a fake smile. Makoto went into overdrive, his hands untangling the shoelaces in mere seconds. Now she looked a bit displeased.

"You see, that's better. Looks like big bro needed just a little bit of motivation to work better."

Makoto finished placing on his shoes, tying them up in the proper way. His shoes felt a bit loose though, maybe he should have been a bit gentler when untying.

He stood up and turned around to call out, "We're going out now!"

"Okay!" called out his mum from the living room. "Make sure to have fun you two!"

Oh he highly doubts he will have fun.

Makoto exited the house with Monaca. Monaca commanded Makoto to push her wheelchair for the rest of the day; since that's "what a slave is for!" as she delightfully said to his face.

There's no break for me huh… Makoto lamented, and began to push Monaca's wheelchair all the way to the train station. I hope she doesn't make me spend too much money…

Neither of the two felt the need to talk to the other, their trip to the train station being mostly silent apart from the rumbling in Makoto's stomach. He hadn't had the time to properly eat thanks to being rushed to the door by Monaca, so he's feeling a bit fatigued trying to push her wheelchair. If there was one silver lining, he at least wasn't forced to eat dried mackerel.

They reached the train station and boarded a train, and Makoto noted that the carriage they were on was empty. Despite this, the two went to opposite ends of the carriage. Makoto was on the left of the carriage, taking a rest on a seat and looking out the window, while Monaca was on the right, looking at her phone.

…

Makoto can't help but feel a little awkward. Even though Monaca was his adopted sister, is this how siblings interact with each other? When he's with Komaru they would talk about all sorts of thing ranging from school to the latest pop culture.

But not with Monaca, most of their interactions would consist of her ordering him around to do stuff for her, or him trying to lecture her on why she can't just do whatever she wants. Even before she revealed her true colours, she never talked much about herself. An example he could remember was when Komaru asked her who her favourite band was, and she responded with "why Sayaka of course". When he asked her the same question she would say "whatever's popular of course".

Everything about her was covered in lies, and he wonders sometimes if her personality right now was her true self or just another facade.

In an attempt to break the ice, Makoto tried to start a conversation with Monaca.

"Monaca?"

"What do you want Makoto?" Monaca said, not looking away from her phone to face Makoto.

"Ummm… do you have anything specific you want to buy?"

"No."

"Okay then."

"…"

"…"

"… Are you talking to your friends?"

Monaca finally looked up at him, "Why are you asking me sooo many questions today Makoto? Are you trying to trick me or something?"

"What? No," Makoto said. "I just wanted to have a conversation with you."

"Big bro wants to talk to Monaca? Now she definitely knows something is up. You're just trying to find out her weaknesses aren't you? I'm sorry, but Monaca has no weaknesses."

"For the last time I'm not tricking you or anything. I'm actually trying to learn more about you so we can at least become friends."

"You want us to become friends? Are you delusional? Why would Monaca want to become friends with you, the most boring, boring person she has ever met? This is why you're in this situation big bro; you have too big of a heart to take the most logical course of action."

"Okay, then what is the logical course of action?"

"Well for starters you should have hit Monaca when she first pranked Komaru. Then if Monaca kept on being a bad girl big bro should keep on hitting her until she learns her lesson."

To say that Makoto was horrified at what she was proposing would be an understatement. Monaca ignored the shocked look on his face to continue on rambling, "Hmmm, but on second thought, I don't think you're strong enough to leave any bruises on me. But don't worry; there are other ways you can teach Monaca. You can cut Monaca with a knife, throw her off her wheelchair, hit her with a bat, lock her in the closet, starve her, or make her listen to long talks about friendship!"

"Monaca, I'm not the sort of person to use violence as a solution! Even though you've been causing nothing but trouble for me lately, I don't think even someone like you deserves it."

Monaca rolled her eyes, "I think the correct term is discipline, but I think you'll change your tune soon enough. Even someone like you has a snapping point. Don't tell you never even thought of hitting me, not even once?"

Makoto could only remain silent. Yes, sometimes little thoughts like that would pop up, but he'll always shake them away from his mind.

Monaca grinned at him, "Oh my, I never would have thought my kind-hearted big bro has actually thought of hurting me. Monaca recommends that you should take several deep breaths if you're angry, it does wonders for your stress."

"Monaca, is there really no way we can ever be friends?"

"Nope, not in a gazillion years! Now if that's all, please be quiet so Monaca can read in peace."

Monaca returned to looking at her phone, while Makoto looked out the window once more. Should he even keep trying to get close to her? She was making no such attempts to even try to act friendly, and her negativity was wearing him down each day.

But he resolved himself to keep at it. How many times had he thought it was impossible for him to get along with Byakuya? Or even with Toko? And yet he succeeded, and that was enough to give him enough hope that eventually, Monaca would be able to become his friend.

"Hey Makoto, have you ever seen someone explode?"

… He really, really hoped that he was right.

Maybe I should get her to see a therapist…

The duo finally arrived to their destination, a large shopping district. Makoto had to manoeuvre Monaca around to avoid the crowd of people.

"Where do you want to go Monaca?" Makoto asked, looking around at the various stores in the district. "There's a book store, a toy store, a game store…"

"I want to go in there," Monaca pointed at an electronic store.

"An electronics store? I didn't know you had an interest in technology Monaca."

"It's because I have a high intellect Makoto," Monaca bragged. "Which allows Monaca to think of lots of ways to create all sorts of cool stuff. It's quite a shame that you aren't as smart as me."

Ouch. Did she really have to insult my intelligence? But this was good progress; Monaca had an interest that doesn't involve the suffering of others.

They entered the store, and Makoto watched as Monaca searched around, looking through every tray and examining every single circuit within.

This might be a good time to have another conversation, he thought, since the last one was pretty much a failure.

He thought long and hard for anything related to technology to use as an appropriate conversation starter, and when he finally thought of the perfect one he initiated the conversation.

"So Monaca, what do you want to do when you grow up?"

"I don't know," Monaca replied. Her back was turned to him as she examined the long piece of metal in her hands, "Why are you asking?"

"Well, since you have an interest in technology, why don't you think of working for the Towa Group?"

SNAP!

Makoto swerved his head around. He could have sworn he heard a loud snap near him.

Monaca placed the two pieces of metal in her hand back into the tray she took it from, and turned to face Makoto with a bright expression.

"Oh? The Towa Group? I don't think I've ever heard about them before. Please tell me allll about them Makoto."

Makoto zipped up his jacket. Was it just him, or was the room getting a bit cold now?

"Umm, well, the Towa Group is one of the biggest technology enterprises in the world."

"Well duh, of course they are," Monaca said. "Tell me something I don't know."

"I thought you said you never heard of them before?"

"I was joking, I know all about them of course. For example, I know that one of their current projects is building the enormous airship called The Excalibur. I heard that you could fit everyone in Towa city into it, isn't that sooo amazing?"

"Yeah… it is," Monaca sounded happy, and yet he can't help but feel like he might have stepped on a landmine.

"And I also know alllll about the chairman of the group, and his only child of course. The son is next in line despite having done nothing at all to contribute to the company, but that's fine, since he's family. Isn't it sooo nice that the chairman is a loving father, who would give his entire company to a person who has no useful skills to show whatsoever?"

"Y-Yeah?"

"Of course it is! It's a good thing he's an only child, since he wouldn't have to compete with a sibling who's far superior to him in every way. Not that there is another sibling of course, since there's no way the father can be such a selfish, cowardly, pathetic human being who'll abandon one his children, don't you think?"

Okay, now he knows that he touched on a sensitive topic for Monaca. Why was she getting so aggressive at the Towa Group?

Monaca clasped her hands on her lap and stared at Makoto. This time, there wasn't a smile at all on her face, "I think I've talked enough about my feelings for the Towa Group today, unless you want me to keep going."

"N-No, I think you've made your point."

"Then get me out of here, I'm done looking."

Makoto wheeled Monaca out of the store. She was smiling now, but Makoto can tell that she's in a very bad mood. This was probably the most disastrous conversation he ever had with someone.

Now that's twice I've failed to have a decent conversation with her, he thought. I need the next topic to be something she likes or else she'll most certainly do one of her punishments at home. Maybe I should talk abo –

"Hey, Makoto!"

A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts, and the duo turned around to see a figure running up to them.

"Hey, Hina!" Makoto greeted when she got close. "Nice to see you again!"

"You too!" Aoi replied, giving him a smile. That smile however, faltered a bit when she looked at the figure with him.

"And you're with… Monaca…"

Monaca smiled back at Aoi, "I'm sorry, who are you again?"

"Uh, we met yesterday, at the school festival?"

Monaca placed a finger under her chin, "Nope," she said. "Monaca can't remember someone like you."

"Well… I guess I'll introduce myself again. I'm Aoi Asahina, nice to meet you again Monaca!" she held out her hand for a handshake.

Monaca shook her hand, "Nice to meet you too doughnut girl," she said, earning a frown from Makoto and Aoi.

"Monaca!" Makoto scolded, "Please call Hina by her real name and not with a nickname!"

"Yeah!" Aoi said. "Besides, doughnuts aren't my entire character! I mean I have other interests too, like swimming, so an appropriate nickname would be something like 'doughnut girl who also loves swimming'."

I think you're missing the point Hina… Makoto thought.

"Anyways, are you guys doing anything at the moment?" Aoi asked.

"We just came out of the electronics store," answered Makoto. "Why?"

"Since we're here… why don't we all go out and eat some doughnuts?"

"Well…" he looked at Monaca for her approval. She gave him a shrug.

"Why not," she said. "Monaca is pretty hungry anyways."

"Then that settles it!" Aoi declared. "I know a great store outside of the mall that sells the best doughnuts. Follow me!" She marched ahead with Makoto and Monaca following suit.

"Here we are!" Aoi declared. "The best doughnut store in the world!"

"Doesn't really look like it though…" Monaca whispered to Makoto. "Look at the sign; it's going to fall off any moment now."

Makoto had to agree with Monaca about the sign. The sign, which was shaped like a doughnut, was shaking a lot. All it would take for the sign to topple over would be a slight bit of force. But apart from that the store looked great; it reminded him a bit of a luxury cafe.

There was a line when the trio entered the store. The line was long, so Aoi suggested that Monaca and Makoto find a table while she stands in line.

"You guys decided on what to order?" Aoi asked.

Makoto found it hard to choose since all the doughnuts at the counter looked delicious, "I'll have… A jelly filled doughnut. "

"Okay, what about you Monaca?"

"I'll have a bean doughnut," said Monaca.

"Alright, then I'll have…" Aoi thought long and hard for what she wanted to order before saying, "You know what; I'll just order one of each doughnut."

Makoto handed Aoi some money for their order, and he and Monaca sat themselves at a table. Like at the train, they both seated themselves on opposite ends of the table. Makoto once again tried to start a conversation with Monaca while they wait.

"Sooo… Are you enjoying yourself Monaca?"

"Not really," Monaca folded her arms and looked at Makoto with a pout. "Monaca doesn't want to hang around with your friend."

"Hina is one of the nicest people I've ever met," Makoto said. "I'm sure if you give her a chance she'll become your friend too."

Monaca scoffed, "I don't think I need any friends at the moment, but…"

"… Maybe having someone else to play with wouldn't hurt," Monaca murmured.

"What was that Monaca?"

"I'm saying that I think you're absolutely right Makoto," Monaca said. "Maybe I should be friends with her."

"I'm glad that you're trying to make more friends," Makoto gave a small smile to Monaca. "But first, you have to apologise to her for your behaviour yesterday and today."

"Fine…"

Aoi came back carrying fifteen boxes in a pile, astonishing Makoto and Monaca. She placed the boxes on the table and plopped down next to Makoto, "Sorry for the long wait you guys."

Aoi grabbed the box at the top of the pile and placed it between Monaca and Makoto, Aoi took out a doughnut from the box and took a bite out of it; her face lighting up when the taste filled her mouth, "If you guys want any more I'll be happy to share!"

"She should be called the Ultimate Doughnut Eater," Monaca whispered to Makoto.

"Monaca…"

"Yeah yeah I know."

Monaca's expression became sad, "Before we eat… Monaca wants to say that she's very sorry for calling you doughnut girl earlier (even if it's true), and for what happened yesterday at the school festival. Monaca knows that you might never be able to forgive her, and that's fine. But if you can find it in your heart to give someone like me a chance, I'll do whatever it takes to make up for it."

Her apology worked, "Awww, I forgive you Monaca," said Aoi.

"You do? Then can you be Monaca's friend?"

"Sure, I'll be your friend!"

Monaca glanced at Makoto, eating his jelly doughnut without a care in the world. Monaca nudged the table towards Makoto; surprising him and causing some jelly to fall onto his jacket.

"Monaca!"

"Sorry big bro, Monaca just got a bit excited from making a new friend."

Makoto excused himself from the table and went towards the bathroom, "Since big bro is in the bathroom," Monaca said, "why don't we get to know each other better? Don't be afraid to tell me anything embarrassing; Monaca is a very good secret keeper."

Unfortunately for her, an unexpected event will appear in the next minute.

Ever since that incident, Jutarou Akafuku has grown afraid of luck.

It was a double-edged sword that can make any plan – no matter how well it was crafted – be reduced to nothing. Jutarou had to learn this the hard way when he met that boy – a boy who had such absurd bad luck that it overpowered his own good luck. The incident made him gain a new perception of the world; at any moment in time a person's life can come crashing down due to being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Of course, that didn't stop him from doing what he does best – being a thief. It was hard for him to escape his jail cell, but with a little bit of planning – and admittedly a little bit of luck – he managed.

Jutarou entered the doughnut store and sat down near an empty table. This will be the first time he'll pull a robbery in broad daylight. It wasn't his usual style to pull off such an act; he would've preferred to steal with a bit more craft from his targets.

Of course he also knew the various risks involved in such an act. For one thing this wasn't a job given to him; he had planned this knowing that his reward would most likely be a pitiful amount of change. Secondly, he was still on the run, so the risk of someone recognising him here was another risk. And thirdly–

–Jutarou let out a small cough. He had this damn cough that came out of nowhere.

The odds were stacked against him, and yet he felt more confident than ever. Prior to this he had looked at a map of the area around the store, memorised the timetables of the public transport near here, and formulated several routes for his escape. Of course if public transport wasn't an option he had stored several getaway vehicles nearby as a safety net. Right now he was dressed as a businessman, and no one was paying him any mind. Once he has the money, he'll replace his clothes with another disguise stashed close by to throw off any pursuers.

He had done everything within his power to ensure the maximum amount of success possible for this to work, all because his pride had been severely damaged by some brat. If his plan went smoothly, it would prove to him once more that a well-made plan trumps luck, he would regain his confidence, and he can finally move on from that traumatic event.

He looked around his surroundings. There were only a few people around – mostly teenagers and families – and none of them looked like they could pose a problem to him. Still, looks can be deceiving as he had learned; you never know if one of them could be proficient in martial arts.

He needed someone that he was sure would not fight back against him, and only one particular person sitting close by fit what he needed. A handicapped girl that he guessed was around ten or eleven years old was chatting away with a teenager.

She would make a perfect hostage, Jutarou thought. He felt around his jacket pocket until he came into contact with his army knife. He got up from his table and approached the duo. The teenager and the little girl didn't give him any attention until he was standing over his soon to be captive.

"Ummm, can Monaca help you?" asked the little girl.

Jutarou's response was to grab her by her hair and press a knife to her neck.

Makoto was rinsing his jacket in the bathroom with a solemn expression. The stain was not coming off no matter how much he rubbed at it with his hands. Makoto hung his head down in sadness.

"It was my favourite jacket too…" he muttered. Actually, he had plenty of replicas of this exact jacket back in his closet, but it still hurts all the same.

Makoto heard a scream coming from outside the bathroom, "That scream, it sounded like Monaca!" He would have burst through the bathroom door if he hadn't forced himself to stop.

"I can't just rush outside recklessly; I should at least take a peek to see what's happening."

Makoto opened the bathroom door just a little and peered outside. There was a man with a knife at the counter, and the person struggling in his arms was Monaca. She had a pained expression – most likely due to how hard the man was pulling her hair – but most of all she looked terrified.

Crap! I need to help her! Makoto thought. But he was hesitating. Why should he help her anyway? All she ever does is cause trouble for him and everyone he cares about. Heck, she's even blackmailing him! She deserves this!

…

…

No, Makoto doesn't believe that. He may just be too kind for his own good; but no matter how bad Monaca has been on his life he won't abandon her when she needs his help.

Now, what was he supposed to do? The robber kept moving his head around the store, so sneaking up on him is unlikely. But if he waited too long there was a chance the robber would take Monaca with him, and who knows what would happen to her.

Makoto spotted a bag on top of the counter; money was being deposited into it by the people at the front.

Makoto thought of an idea. It was risky, and he didn't know if he can be fast enough, but it was worth a shot. The robber was only a few metres away from the bathroom door. He'll wait until the man reaches for the bag, and charge at him from the side.

Makoto held his breath, waiting for the right moment to come bursting out of the door the second the robber reached for the bag.

The robber coughed a bit, and reached for the bag. Makoto came charging out of the door right at him…

… Only for disaster to happen right at that moment, as Makoto's shoelaces came undone as he was running and he slipped. The robber stepped to the left, and Makoto crashed into an empty table. The spectators watching winced at the sound of the collision, the impact could be felt throughout the store.

Makoto's last vision before he fell unconscious was of Monaca looking at him with surprise.

Jutarou stared at the crumpled mess of the teenager. Everything was going so smoothly in his plan that of course something unexpected had to happen. But it was a good thing the boy slipped; else he would have been in trouble. Then again, it was his fault for not checking the bathroom before he started his robbery (not that he would admit it to himself).

At least I still have the bag and knife, he told himself. I guess I got a bit rusty from being in jail.

Jutarou grabbed the bag on the counter. The bag was heavy, and he almost made a fool of himself lifting it off the counter. It was his lucky day today that a doughnut store such as this had so much money in its register. Maybe he'll keep doing robberies as a side gig.

Now that he has the money all that's left is to walk right out of the store along with the little girl in his hand. He'll keep her as a hostage just until he was a safe distance away from the scene of the crime, and then he'll drop her off somewhere where she would be safe until the police find her. He wasn't that heartless to leave a handicapped girl in danger.

His hostage wasn't struggling anymore; she was staring at the unconscious boy with a curious look on her face. While he should have used this chance to just run off with the goods, Jutarou had to admit that he was also curious at who was the idiot who almost threw a wrench into his plan.

Jutarou approached the boy, and he immediately recognised the face of the unconscious person.

He dropped the girl and the bag, and made a mad dash out of the store.

By a cruel twist of fate, Jutarou Akafuku met Makoto Naegi once more. The boy who landed him in jail and wounded his pride was lying right in front of him unconscious, but he knew better. He doesn't give a damn about the money anymore; misfortune surrounded this boy, and he does not want to be around him when things go to shit.

But it was already too late. If he had fled without trying to find out the identity of the boy, there would have been a chance he could have gotten away scot free. But fate wasn't so kind to him.

The second Jutarou stepped outside the door the sign on top fell down, slamming him into the pavement.

I should have changed jobs… was Jutarou's last thought before he passed out.

Makoto woke up half an hour later after Jutarou was slammed into the ground by a giant doughnut.

"Ma-Makoto!" the first thing he saw upon waking up was several paramedics circled around him, and Aoi looking down at him with a relived look. "You're finally awake!"

With some help with Aoi, he got back up on his feet. Not even a second later, she hugged him; the pressure from it was almost enough to send him right back to being unconscious.

"H-Hina," Makoto wheezed out. "I can't breathe…"

Aoi let go of Makoto, "I was so worried that you might've not woken up at all; you slammed pretty hard into that table…" She gestured to the shattered remains around him.

He cringed at the memory of his failed rescue attempt. Humiliating himself in public was a lot more painful to him than crashing into a table at full force.

"Excuse me miss," asked one of the paramedics. "If you don't mind we would like to check up on your friend."

"Oh, okay. I'll just be right outside Makoto."

"Yeah," Makoto thought he felt perfectly fine, aside from this constant headache and his whole body feeling like he got hit by a truck. More importantly, he wanted to ask Aoi something before she left.

"Where's Monaca?"

"She's outside with the police and other paramedics. That poor girl, she must be so traumatised by what happened… if I hadn't suggested we eat here this mi–"

"This wasn't your fault Hina," Makoto interrupted. "It was just bad luck that's all."

Aoi let out a chuckle, "Yeah you're right. Although it's a bit funny that something like this happened to the Ultimate lucky student."

"Unfortunately, I think my luck is more of a curse than a blessing these days."

The paramedics around them were becoming impatient; Aoi said a quick goodbye and went outside, leaving Makoto alone to be examined by the paramedics.

Makoto and Monaca were on opposite ends of the carriage, returning home after saying goodbye to Aoi. Monaca was eerily calm despite having a knife at her throat, playing on her phone with a smile on her face.

"Monaca, are you sure you're alright?" Makoto asked her for the fiftieth time today.

"For the last time Makoto yes, Monaca is alright," she replied. "Besides, this was probably the most exciting thing to have happened this week!"

"You were excited to be taken hostage? But you looked so terrified when you were being held!"

"I was just acting that's all, it would be weird if I didn't even try to act scared at such a situation. That robber pulled so hard on Monaca's hair, but in exchange she did get to see big bro fail spectacularly in his rescue attempt."

Did she really have to poke fun at him for that? It wasn't his fault that his shoelaces came untied at that moment.

"Also, if you think that I'm going to change my attitude because of today, then you're wrong."

"Huh?"

"Did you really think that rescue act will make Monaca become so nice to you? Sorry Makoto, you're still my slave, whether you like it or not."

"I didn't try to rescue you because I wanted you to be nice to me."

"Then why?"

"It's because you looked like you needed help, that's why I tried to rescue you."

Monaca took her eyes off her phone and looked at Makoto, a frown on her face. "Because I needed help? You rescued me because of that?"

"Yeah, even though you've caused a lot of trouble for me and my friends, you're still my little sister. I won't abandon you when you're in trouble."

She looked confused, and answered with the only appropriate response to such a reason.

"You're weird."

Makoto chuckled a bit, "I'm weird? I think I'm a pretty average and boring teenager."

"Nope, you're definitely weird. You should see a doctor to check your head," Monaca looked back at her phone. Makoto returned to staring aimlessly out the window.

For the rest of the day, Monaca left Makoto alone.

Monaca blew her noise on the tissue, coughing all the while as she looked outside the window of her room. She had caught the damn flu the next day after yesterday's events, most likely because of that robber. She'll have to spend a few days confined to her bed.

Monaca crumpled the tissue and threw it at the bin near to her, adding it to the growing mountain of used tissues coming out of the bin.

"This sucks!"Monaca whined, "I knew I shouldn't have agreed to come eat some stupid doughnuts! They weren't even that good anyway…"

"… Okay maybe they were a bit delicious, but it still wasn't worth it if I have to get sick!"

Makoto entered the room with a bowl of soup, "Do you feel better Monaca?"

"Why of course I feel better Makoto," Monaca answered. "In fact, I have so much energy right now I could leap right out of bed."

Makoto grabbed a chair and sat down next to Monaca. He spooned up a piece of soup and blew on it gently. When he tried to feed it to Monaca, she shook her head.

"It's good for you Monaca," Makoto insisted.

"It looks disgusting!" Monaca whined, tightly closing her mouth in defiance of the spoon.

"It's good, I promise!" Makoto tried once more to feed it to Monaca. Once again she wouldn't budge.

"Why are you doing this anyway? I didn't ask you to feed me this soup, unless you're trying to poison me. I bet you enjoy seeing Monaca look so miserable and pathe–"

Monaca started coughing, her hands grabbing several tissues to wipe away the snot coming from her nose.

"I'm not trying to poison you," Makoto said after her coughing fit calmed down. "And I'm not enjoying the fact that you're ill. I want you get better as soon as possible."

"I don't get you, if I get better that means you're just going to be ordered around by me again. Are you saying you're actually ok with that?"

Makoto paused for a bit, if she got better she would go right back to her old ways. Will he still try to help even while knowing that?

"Yeah," he replied.

Monaca stared at him, her expression unreadable. Begrudgingly, Monaca opened her mouth, allowing him to feed her.

"I'll admit… it tastes good…" Monaca whispered.

Makoto smiled, he scooped up another piece of soup. It may have just been his imagination…

But just for this one moment, he felt that he and Monaca bonded just a tiny bit.