**A.N.: Okay I had to cut myself off on this one because it was getting out of hand. I beat my old record for chapter length, though! Thank you for taking the time to leave kind reviews, it really does mean a lot to me. And a shout-out to my beta Telemain's Daughter for going through the past chapters with me! We're steadily working our way through the teens now. Without further ado:**


"Could ya have made that any harder?"

"Could you have been more suspicious?" Kyouji crossed his arms, frowning over at Himitsu as they walked, a step behind the taller male as Himitsu led them who knows where. He ignored the pain tugging at his stomach with practiced ease. He'd gone longer without food; his stomach was just spoiled from the previous week.

Why was he here...

Himitsu laughed, glancing back at him. "'ey, I wasn't the one actin' suspicious. Ya handled that all on yer own."

"Well, I didn't know what you were going to say." Kyouji ran a hand through his hair in agitation, sighing before shoving his hands into his pockets, rolling the single remaining syringe in his left hand. He was certainly calmer when he didn't have to worry about any of the others listening in, but the residual nerves had him jittery.

"Oh, c'mon, Kyou-"

Kyouji tensed. "Don't call me that."

"Hm?" Himitsu frowned, stopping and turning to look at him. He laughed shortly, replacing the displeased look with smirk. "An' why not? Weren't ya just complainin' about being too suspicious? Maybe when we go back, I'll just say 'Bye, Jadoku' real loud. Let ya explain that ta them."

"Don't." Some, if not all, of the people there could translate that—not that they'd know right away what it implied, but it was the principle of the thing. "Seriously, don't."

Himitsu lifted his hands in a placating manner. "I won't, asenna-yo." He chuckled lightly. "Trust me a li'l more than that."

Kyouji scoffed. He already had mixed thoughts about what he'd figured out two nights prior, but admittedly, the information he'd been given about the box had been useful... if it were true. Kyouji wasn't sure what to think, but he supposed it was better to play it on the safe side. In all honesty, Himitsu's involvement wasn't even really a problem; they were on the same side, after all, but...

"Whatever." Kyouji continued walking, not sure where he was going, but knowing Himitsu would continue when he did, and would change the course if he was going the wrong way.

He couldn't sort out his thoughts. On the one hand, having someone in on this that he was familiar with, and who was familiar with him (in more ways than he'd thought previously), could prove useful- and already had, in part. But on the other hand, this whole situation was becoming increasingly complicated, and trying to measure up to the accountability on both sides was becoming a headache he didn't want to deal with.

It had been easier when Himitsu was just a supplier, someone impartial to whatever was going on so long as he got his payment. Now Kyouji felt like he had to be more careful about his actions around him. Though Himitsu's attitude made it natural to respond casually in the moment, a little nagging voice in the back of his head made Kyouji wonder if he'd said something he shouldn't have in this conversation or even a previous one. He couldn't remember that far back, and if every action and word had been basically monitored... where did he stand right now?

Well, he thought as they continued on their way, Himitsu naturally taking the lead, I'm not dead yet, so I can't have screwed up too badly.

"So, ya seemed pretty busy in there."

Kyouji shook his head, both in response to the statement and to clear his mind. Overthinking it would only make things worse, and besides, Himitsu was too relaxed about things to care if he didn't say exactly what he should. He hoped.

"Not really, today was kind of slow. You missed the most exciting part."

"Ya mean it wasn't me comin' ta visit?" Himitsu placed a hand over his heart, his grin undermining his next words. "I'm hurt, I really am."

Kyouji rolled his eyes, unable to help the grin at the theatrics. This guy made it really difficult to stay guarded around him... which was probably his intention. Oh well, at least it gave him something safe to talk about.

"Yeah, I'm afraid you got beaten out by a demon machine plus an old white guy throwing a hissy when he wasn't catered to exactly how he wanted."

"Now that's not a very nice thing ta say." Himitsu joked, stepping down from the curb to cross the street while it was semi-empty.

Kyouji followed after, keeping track of what part of the city they were in, just in case. "I've never claimed to be nice."

"Yeah, ya couldn't lie that well."

"I can when I need to." Kyouji crossed his arms.

"One can hope, with what ya need to do." Himitsu shrugged. "But I guess you don't need ta lie so long as they don't ask you directly." Shaking his head, he chuckled. "Ya picked the most difficult way ta do this, there really was no reason ta take it this far with 'em."

"Can we... not do this again?" Kyouji snapped.

Regardless of what it started as, the conversation almost always circled back to this, and Kyouji was certain Himitsu did it on purpose. There wasn't another response to give or new thing to say about it, and the topic was grating on his nerves, the future possibilities and certainties cycling through his mind and giving him a headache. He didn't want to think about what would eventually happen, and Himitsu reminding him every other day was not at all helpful.

Kyouji shook his head in irritation. "Why are you even here?" He didn't expect a straight answer, but at least the question was out there instead of occupying his mind.

"Already forgot? We're gonna go eat." Himitsu said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And then I've got somethin' ta talk to ya about."

There it was. "If this is going to be another lecture, I'll pass." Kyouji stopped walking. There was nothing Himitsu could say further on it that he hadn't already heard. "I'll just go back now."

"Matte, matte, it won't be, I swear." Himitsu turned towards him, lifting an arm as if to grab Kyouji's shoulder to stop him from leaving, but aborting the movement and rubbing the back of his own neck instead. "'sides, wouldn't going back so soon be suspicious? Or even wanderin' around on yer own at this point."

Kyouji frowned. He had a point...


**A.N.: "Asenna-yo" = calm down

"Matte, Matte" = wait, wait**


After grabbing some food to go, Himitsu entering the line first and ordering for them, not even giving Kyouji a chance to pay for his own, the two made their way to one of the nearby safe houses. Kyouji remained on edge, not having a good enough excuse or the money to spare to refuse Himitsu's offer. While he wanted to brush it off and just go with the free food, he hesitated to.

This very much went against Himitsu's 'nothing for free' policy, and it was becoming more difficult to understand the dynamic he was working with when interacting with him. Kyouji was responding on autopilot at this point, waiting for whatever would explain what was going on.

They ate in relative silence, Kyouji doing nothing to create conversation as he took measured bites of his food. He took his time eating, wanting to postpone whatever Himitsu wanted to talk about. He stopped at what he knew to be his limit, reminding himself it would take time for his stomach to register that he was full, and he didn't want to make himself sick.

Kyouji folded his arms on the unsteady table, resting his chin on them and looking over at Himitsu. He had busied himself with his phone when Kyouji'd made it apparent that he wasn't going to participate in small talk. Kyouji pulled at a loose string on the edge of his jacket, beginning to tie it in knots as he thought.

He was mentally done with today, and had been since three that morning when he was reminded why safe houses weren't always that safe. His unwillingness to possibly kill the guy, stranger or not, had cost him a syringe. With only the one left in his pocket, in order to have something to safely defend himself and still be ready for the off-chance of getting the kid alone, he'd have to go back to where he'd stashed the extra ones. That wasn't really an option at this point. If something similar happened again, he'd either have to fight them off manually, risking a death on his hands or an inconcealable injury and the scales that came with it, or use his last syringe and have to go back for another.

He sighed quietly, shaking his head lightly. Couldn't he just call a 'timeout' or something? But there wasn't anything he could do about it at present, and he had other things that demanded his more immediate attention.

"So what do you want?" Kyouji tiredly asked Himitsu, waiting to hear what he had to say.

Himitsu chuckled, tucking his phone back into his pocket. "Oh, c'mon, do ya have to be so wary of everything?"

"Yes." His answer was immediate and complete.

"This is why ya think everyone is suspicious of innocent actions. It's because you are." Himitsu shook his head, smirking. "I just needed to talk to ya about something, and I figured you'd be more willing to listen on a full stomach. It gave a good enough excuse to get you out of there, too." He shrugged.

"And this couldn't wait until after, because..." Kyouji trailed off, narrowing his eyes at him.

"I wanted to see you at work. It's funny to watch ya interact with all of 'em." Himitsu hid a laugh behind his hand. "Yer so outta your element. Clearly undercover's not-"

Kyouji leaned back in the chair, bringing his folded arms down so they crossed in front of him.

Himitsu waved him down. "Right, right. No lecture. I'll skip right ta the point. When ya get the kid, you and the Fujitas aren't gonna be takin' him to Yama-"

"Excuse me? Isn't that the point of all this?" Kyouji's mind raced.

He's well aware that if this job goes unfinished, the bare minimum consequence was getting cut off from dealing with anyone in that circle. Even if -if- he somehow managed to keep the job at the café, it wouldn't be enough. Not enough to keep certain people off his back, not enough to ever get his own place, and certainly not enough to disappear from the consequences of failing this job. He didn't have time, especially not with the end of the month approaching so rapidly. They couldn't help him anymore than they were already, and he'd like to stay in their good graces for as long as possible-

"'Ey. Listen to me before ya go freaking out." Himitsu grabbed his attention from his thoughts. "You won't be takin' him to the Yama that gave ya the assignment. A Yama will be involved, just not that one. Ya do know that's a surname, right? Though technically it's Yamada, which-"

"Himitsu-"

"Right, right." He hadn't meant to start rambling, but he wanted to get everything out at once and conciseness had never been his strong suit. "Anyway, ya might have already gotten an idea o' it, what with the Fujitas and whatnot, but if things continue like they're supposed ta, you and the Fujitas will deliver the kid to Taishou. Y've heard o' him, I'm sure." Himitsu held up a hand when Kyouji opened his mouth to speak. "After, Taishou's done with what 'e wants ta do, the kid'll be transferred to the younger Yama, an' that'll free ya from any obligations with 'im."

"But-" Kyouji's brow creased as he tried to process what he'd been told. So the older brother was involved. One thing in particular stuck out to him, however. "...and how long is that supposed to take? Between the- the delivery and the transfer?" Kyouji shook his head, shoving his hands in his pockets to hide the tremors that had started. "I can't- this isn't some game."

Until Yama got what he wanted, he'd still be locked out of things, and at that point the café would be an impossibility. As it stood, he could probably manage through the next week on his own, but after that, once people started demanding payment that he didn't have, things would get messy.

"I know that." Himitsu's brow creased, wondering at Kyouji's choice of words. "As fer the time, I'm not sure. He said it'd be shorter since the team knows of the place where he'd keep the kid. I guess it depends."

"It depends." Kyouji's voice laced with venom, his irritation at the situation spilling over. "Well, isn't that just so helpful."

"'Ey. Ya could be goin' into this blind, at least this way ya know what's going to happen." Himitsu crossed his arms. "I don't see what's-"

"Yes, wonderful." Kyouji supposed Himitsu expected him to be overtly grateful at the information, but it only managed to bring future problems to the present. In his agitation, his thoughts spilled into speech. "Now I get to figure out how the hell I'm going to survive the next weeks, months, or even years before this Taishou decides he done doing... whatever it is he wants the kid for." Kyouji didn't like thinking of what that would entail, either. He didn't want to know, as he doubted he could go through with this if he did.

"Survive? Jadoku, what-" A look of realization crossed his face. "Oh, you know if ya succeed in delivery, you'll be staying with us 'til the end," Himitsu said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "And after, most likely, 'less ya find somewhere you'd rather stay and work from. You'll be just fine."

What?

Kyouji stared at him in confusion. When had that been any part of the arrangement? And why did Himitsu sound so certain of that? How did he know half the things he'd just told him? And stay with 'us'? Who was he?

"How can you be so sure of that?" Kyouji's gaze flitted to the table as he was unable to hold eye contact.

Himitsu sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just am, okay?"

Well there was at least one thing he wouldn't answer.

"Why are you telling me all of this..." Kyouji trailed off, searching for the right words. "If it doesn't change anything?"

"Well, yeah, you were gonna to find out at the end, but I figured ya deserved to know what was goin' on. Surprises don't seem to be your thing." Himitsu chuckled briefly, remembering the outburst from a couple nights before. "However... there's an inherent price ta ya knowin' now. You can no longer claim ignorance in this task as a safety net fer failure. You've gotta make a choice."

Kyouji had tensed when Himitsu mentioned a price, but he didn't end up meaning anything monetary, so it wasn't too bad. His eyes darted to meet Himitsu's when he mentioned a choice. What was he talking about? He didn't have one. Not really, anyway... Kyouji remained silent and Himitsu took it as a sign to continue.

"So here're your options." Himitsu held up a finger. "Ya hand over the box and continue what you were doin': the job for the lesser Yama. But you'll have ta compete against the Fujitas for possession o' the kid, and you'll have a much higher chance of failure, with whatever comes with that. You'll be on yer own, even I'm gonna have ta back outta that one. Or-"

Himitsu ticked up a second finger as something changed about his demeanor. He straightened slightly, his eyes and tone losing their easy edge, and Kyouji wasn't certain he liked the switch. "-you formally accept Taishou's mission, and continue to work alongside the Fujitas, earning greater end rewards, but risking a higher immediate cost for failure."

Kyouji scoffed, covering his disquiet with hostility. "So why don't you just say he'll kill me and not dance around the fact? It's not like-"

"Because you'll live." Himitsu crossed his arms, not dropping the more rigid posture, but glancing away from Kyouji. "You can't extract anything from a dead subject. Well, not much." Himitsu looked up at Kyouji's dumb-struck expression, an apology almost visible on his face. "Do you understand?"

...subject? Did he mean- but... how- no.

Horror seeped into his limbs as Kyouji realized what that meant, causing him to tense until it was borderline painful. Black spots danced in front of his eyes before he realized he'd stopped breathing, and once he forced himself to, the rush of air made him dizzy, renewing the pounding headache in his skull that pulses with every beat of his heart. He faintly registered he taste of blood and hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand, numbness settling into his fingertips.

Kyouji muttered through his fingertips, barely able to give voice to his words. "Why would I want to be near someone who'll do that to me..." He clenched his fists, shakily standing from the table, wanting to escape, just for a little while, but not having anywhere to go. "What- what's to keep him from doing it anyway?"

"His word." Himitsu said it with such certainty that Kyouji knew it had already been given. "That's just the alternative, not the end result he wants. But..." Himitsu hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Like I just said, it's the alternative. It'll eventually happen if you choose to give up the box, whether you succeed or not. It's still your choice, like it's always been, which is something important to him. I just figured you could make a better choice given more information. And it lets you decide before you're right in front of him and finding out everything."

"I-" Kyouji mentally stumbled over the new information he had, comparing the two options presented and failing to find a case where deciding to give up the box was the best choice, or even a sane choice. It might give him more time to disappear if he messed up, but it wasn't like he had the means to do so anyway. He swallowed thickly, ignoring the sharp tang of copper and the twin lines of pain across his tongue as he crossed his arms in front of himself.

"I accept Taishou's offer." It didn't make sense to do otherwise.

Himitsu immediately relaxed, his smile returning in relief as he stood as well. "Yokatta."

Kyouji nodded, the tension draining out of his limbs and leaving him more exhausted than he'd been earlier. He definitely needed to find somewhere that was actually safe to sleep tonight, if he could make it that long without shutting down.

"D'you want to go back now, or do ya need some time?" Himitsu tilted his head, regarding him with something Kyouji would call concern if he didn't know better.

Kyouji took another deep breath, pushing a hand back through his hair in an attempt to calm down. "I... just give me a..." Second? Minute? Year?

"'Ey, I'm not pushing ya out, I just want ta know. What time do ya need to be back by?"

"It's Sunday... it closes at 6." Kyouji welcomed the mental distraction of work, but he couldn't go back like this. He'd drop something for sure in the very least. "I should get back by four thirty or five, though."

"Well, it's a quarter ta four, and we're maybe ten minutes out." Himitsu looked up at him, considering. "Maybe ya should try ta get some sleep. Don't worry, I'll make sure you're up on time."

Kyouji thought about it for a second before nodding, heading over to the couch in the living room and plopping down on it. He couldn't bring himself to care about the general discomfort; he was probably going to pass out soon, whether he wanted to or not. Besides, if Himitsu had gone to all that trouble to convince him to agree, then it was probably a safe bet to say he wouldn't wake up dead while he was here. He'd just sleep for a little bit.


**A.N.: Yokatta= I'm glad**


Back in the shop, business had dropped off completely, the afternoon customers having come and gone. Hiro knew from past experience that a few would come in shortly before closing to grab something to go, but other than that everything was done for the day.

Hiro turned off the ovens, chatting lightly with Ara as he did so, and laughing at the stories she had to share. Working together, they quickly finished any remaining tasks and were left without much of anything to do. Hiro took a couple of moments to go upstairs to check on Tadashi, who had curled up on the couch and started to binge watch Mythbusters. Apparently Wasabi had watched a few of the new episodes with him earlier, and Tadashi wanted to get caught up on it.

After being shooed back downstairs by Tadashi, Hiro glanced at the clock, wondering at the time. It was quickly approaching five, and there was still no sign of Kyouji. Hiro shrugged. He had told him he only needed to check back in before closing, and it wasn't like they were swamped or anything. As long as this didn't become an everyday thing, Hiro wasn't about to get upset.

"How's he doing?" Ara asked Hiro, tucking her phone back into her pocket as he exited the back room.

"Teddy's just watching some TV," Hiro leaned back against the counter, yawning before continuing, "Looks like 'sabi got him back into Mythbusters, so he's watching them blow stuff up."

Ara thought for a moment. "You know, I think I've seen a couple episodes of that. I never did get too into it."

"Ah." Hiro stood in silence, considering what to say. "So, how are you liking it here? It's just your first day, but I'm curious."

"I'm liking it just fine," Ara responded happily. "Most people are really nice, and the company's not half bad."

Hiro chuckled at that. Most people, indeed. But there was always one or two that stood out from the bunch in a negative way. As for the company... "Yeah, I saw you two chatting when I came in. You've gotten along quickly."

"Or very, very slowly," Ara laughed. "We talked a bit in high school, but he... wasn't the most social guy. I can't recall him ever having a group of friends he was with..."

"I can see that." Hiro nodded, the statement unsurprising.

"Yeah, which is why I was so shocked earlier when that guy stopped by-" Ara paused. "Um, that sounded kind of mean, I didn't mean it like that-"

Hiro laughed, waving his hand. "I won't tell if you don't."

"Right. I mean, it's nice he's got someone like that, I just didn't think- but I'll stop talking before I make it worse." Ara laughed nervously, covering her face briefly in mild embarrassment.

"Okay, then. Oh," Hiro remembered something he'd meant to talk to her about, but hadn't had the time earlier. "In your paperwork, you mentioned only being able to work full days Sundays and Wednesdays, right? What hours do you want otherwise?" Hiro still didn't know how actual work schedules were supposed to go, but he supposed he'd let them choose.

"Mornings are fine with me. I can help open and stuff, I just have swim practice in the afternoons and I've got a couple of evening classes so I prefer to do online classwork then too, even on days I don't have actual class."

"So, opening to noon, then?" Hiro clarified.

Ara nodded happily. "Yep, sounds good."

"I guess that'll start tomorrow, but I can be here, so we don't have to worry about that." Hiro shrugged.

From what he and Fred had done, there really didn't seem to be an easy way for him to breathe fire, and the more he did, the less was produced. He supposed so long as he kept his reserves depleted every now and then, it wouldn't be something he'd have to worry about.

Hiro was struck with a sudden realization that it was a good thing he had a healthcare robot for if he happened to get sick. Having someone look down the back of his throat, with the firm lining of dark red scales, could cause potential issues. He'd checked in a mirror while washing up before eating at Fred's place, but unless the light was shining right in, one couldn't really tell that his throat was any different. At least he hoped not. No one had exactly said anything, so Hiro supposed he was good. Just so long as they stayed in his throat, he'd be fine.

The café fell silent, and Ara watched the door, curiosity in her gaze.

"I wonder what's taking so long." Ara muttered.

Hiro wasn't sure if she wanted a response, so he settled with shrugging. It was barely five, and there was still an hour to go. For all Hiro knew, Kyouji would show up with two minutes to spare, just to grab his stuff from the back. There wouldn't be much left to help with, regardless. In fact, if she wanted, Ara could be done for the day.

Hiro turned to ask if she wanted to leave, when she perked up, smiling at the doorway. He followed her gaze, spotting Kyouji and the guy who'd come in earlier part ways, Kyouji turning in towards the door and the guy continuing down the street.

The café door's bells jangled as Kyouji pushed inside, yawning and running a hand through his hair as if to try to straighten it out.

Ara waved from the counter. "Welcome back!"

"Hey." Kyouji made his way back behind the counter, glancing around at the empty café. He grinned, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Quite a crowd you've got here."

Ara nodded solemnly. "Hiro and I have just been overwhelmed with people. If only there'd been one more person to help, but alas, it seemed as if you'd never return."

Hiro chuckled lightly and Kyouji's grin became genuine at her sarcasm.

"Terribly sorry," Kyouji inclined his head in mock contriteness. "I fell asleep."

"Oh?" Ara raised an eyebrow, clearly amused at that. "Do tell."

"Um, yeah, I wasn't planning on it when I left, but I mean," Kyouji smiled sheepishly. "I feel a bit more alert, so that's something."

"Yeah, I guess it is." Ara's ears twitched at the sound of distant thunder, and she frowned lightly. "Aw, it would choose to wait until closing."

"What?" Kyouji looked at her, confused, but Hiro didn't seem to be. Clearly he'd missed something, but he couldn't figure out what it was.

"The thunder," Ara said simply. "The rain will probably get here right around closing time."

"Oh." Kyouji glanced outside. The weather had been fine on the way over...

"Oh, Ara," Hiro spoke up. "Like I was going to say right before Kyouji got here: you've been here all day, you can head out if you want."

"Are you sure?" Ara hesitated. Even though she was feeling the strain of being on her feet all day, it didn't seem fair to just leave and let them do the rest.

Hiro nodded. "Absolutely. Kyouji and I've got this."

"Well... alright then. Maybe I can even beat the storm. It sure has been raining a lot lately..." Ara pouted lightly, before gathering her things and heading for the door. "I guess I'll see you boys later! Bye!"

"See you."

After Ara left, the café fell into a comfortable silence, both of them wrapped up in their respective thoughts. The atmosphere was only broken when the predicted customers came in for their quick snack to go. Hiro checked the clock and decided to close the register. There were only five minutes left until the posted closing time, and he didn't expect anyone else to come in at that point.

"I guess we're done for the day, then." Hiro yawned, more than ready to turn in, but knowing he still had things to do even after the café itself closed for the night.

"Okay." Kyouji nodded and headed towards the back room to grab his bag.

"Oh, hey." Hiro grabbed Kyouji's attention, wanting to tell him before he forgot again. "There should be a check in an envelope near where you left your bag, for your work up until now."

When Kyouji looked surprised, Hiro squashed down the need to explain himself further. Employers were supposed to be more assertive than he'd been so far, and he didn't want to accidentally shove his foot in his mouth in the process.

Kyouji wondered if this was normal for an actual job, having never worked in this fashion before. He simply nodded before continuing into the room, out of Hiro's sight, deciding it wasn't going to be something to concern himself with.

After all, he thought with a grimace as he slipped the envelope into a pocket of his bag, it's not like I'll be here much longer.

He swung the backpack onto his back and waved to Hiro as he headed out the door, hoping the rain would continue to hold out until he got to some form of shelter.


Hiro rubbed at his face after locking up, trying to force the dull edges of his mind to wakefulness. It seemed like things wouldn't let up for a while, he just needed to make it through Thursday and then...

He shook his head. Then Christmas would be right around the corner and everything that came with that. San Fransokyo's unique climate meant that after the rainy season, winter would come fast on its heels with cold weather that bit at exposed skin. Hiro wondered how that would affect Tadashi, what with his new temperament. Maybe he could design something that could keep his brother warm, unless it turned out he could maintain that himself, now. He'd check with Baymax later.

Hiro reached the top of the stairs, hearing the sounds of the TV still playing.

"Hey, Teddy. Still watching that?" Hiro leaned over the back of the chair, not trusting himself to sit down lest he get too comfortable to stand again.

Tadashi nodded. "Yeah, I'm rewatching some, too."

"You getting any ideas?" Hiro gestured towards the notebook Tadashi had asked that he bring him. The brothers had made it a habit to write down anything that shows like this did to spark their interest, turning it into projects later on down the road.

"A couple, but..." Tadashi glanced to the side, embarrassed.

"But what?" Hiro prompted.

"I can't write..." Tadashi ducked his head, irritated and annoyed.

"You can't-" Hiro was reminded that just a week ago, Tadashi had been in the mindset of a five year old, and would have just been learning to read. Now that he had his memories, he had the mental ability to recognize letters and words as they were, but...

"I know what I want to write, and I can picture the letters in my head, but I can't-" Tadashi folded his arms, bringing up his legs onto the couch and resting his arms on them. "I can't make it come out right. I can't get my fingers to hold the pen right and what I get out doesn't even look like letters..."

"Hey, don't worry about it." Hiro noticed for the first time the crumpled pieces of paper on the floor, and one clear on the other side of the room, but now wasn't the best time to mention that. "That's a fine motor skill, you'll get it."

Tadashi sighed. "I know... it's just annoying to know I could do it... I never really thought I wouldn't be able to..."

Hiro nodded understandingly. "We could always enroll you in classes. I don't claim to know how to teach that stuff, but maybe—"

"No." Tadashi shook his head vehemently. "I couldn't stand that. I can figure it out."

"Hey, you might make some friends." Hiro chuckled, picturing Tadashi in a swarm of kindergartners.

"Because that worked so well for you..." Tadashi muttered under his breath.

"Hey." Hiro's tone changed, anger showing through. He didn't have to bring that up, and that was so unlike Tadashi...

"Sorry... I'm sorry." Tadashi looked over at him, genuine apology written on his face. "That was uncalled for."

"It was." Hiro sighed, shaking his head. "But I forgive you."

He paused for a moment, considering before addressing his now younger brother. "You know, if you're really against the idea of school we could get you a private tutor. Just for the things you need help with."

"No, it's okay Hiro." Tadashi shook his head. "I just need to practice, you don't need to waste the money."

Hiro chuckled at that. "Believe me, we've got plenty. I do work for real, you know." That reminded Hiro, he had a meeting that weekend with a prospective buyer for a design he'd thankfully finished back in October. But he never delivered things early, since people would come to expect that, whether it were possible or not. He also needed to check in with the hospitals again, just to see how the robots there were behaving and if he needed to tune them up any time soon.

"Hiro?" Tadashi's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. The five year old laughed. "You were thinking too much."

"Ah well, it happens every now and then," Hiro joked. "I'll make sandwiches for dinner, how's that? And I'll bring in your old laptop for you to write on. It might be slow going, but you could manage typing, right?"

Tadashi brightened, nodding. Even if it were just chicken pecking, he could get words onto a computer screen. He'd done it before at the orphanage when he'd been looking for Hiro in the first place.

After Hiro got Tadashi settled with the food and the laptop, he made his way up to their shared room with his own sandwich. He might as well do this while Tadashi was busy. Finishing a bite, Hiro cleared his throat when the red crate came within range.

"Ow." Hiro waited for Baymax to inflate as he finished his food quickly, washing it down with a water bottle from the pile he kept near his workstation.

"Hello. How may I help today?"

"Hey, Baymax." Hiro wanted him to look him over after having expended so much firepower that afternoon. Ideally, he would have had him there directly afterwards, but he'd forgotten. "Scan me, and make note of internal temperatures, or well... anything out of the ordinary."

Now that Hiro knew something was going on, he wanted to be more informed. He'd like to limit surprises in the future if he could help it.

"Scan complete. Readings indicate that your internal temperatures are lower than your last recording, but still much higher than the average human. In addition, your stress levels are: high, and your energy levels are: low. Might I suggest a good night's sleep and a decrease in caffeine intake?"

"Funny," Hiro deadpanned. "Anything else? Specifically about... um, my new condition."

"There have been no change in symptoms from your last scan, but as your brain finishes maturing, perhaps more will manifest."

Hiro narrowed his eyes. "How do you mean?"

"The onset of symptoms correlates with the final stages of development of your brain," Baymax explained, pulling up a chart. "As your decision making center completes its maturation, your brain will reach its ideal state, when I believe you will finish expressing new symptoms."

"What?" Hiro stared at the robot. It could, and would likely, get worse? "When would that be?"

"It varies from person to person. Your prefrontal cortex will continue to develop at least until age 25, and may continue into your early thirties."

Hiro blanched. That long? And he'd have to watch for new symptoms continually? He grimaced, waving Baymax down.

"I'm satisfied with my care."

Once Baymax was fully tucked away, Hiro leaned against the desk, fuming. He had enough on his plate right now, and he hadn't asked for this. It was cool enough in practice or when showing off to his friends, but what it could lead to was a pain to think about.

In Tadashi's case, he could just hide it away, and he had time to figure things out. For all the public cared, Tadashi could hide away in his room for weeks and nothing bad would come of it. Sure their friends would complain, but Tadashi didn't have any responsibilities to worry about. Their friends already knew about him, and he didn't have to worry about them accidentally seeing if something else manifested. But Hiro...

In the very least Hiro had to finish out the promised projects and check-ups for the clients he already had, in addition to keeping the café going. However... now that Aunt Cass was improving, the day that she could come back and run things wasn't so far off anymore. If he had to, he could probably find a way to contact buyers and such through technology rather than face to face. He'd already done so with one overseas company in particular. Perhaps he should focus more on that.

Hiro shook his head harshly. It was too soon to consider things so far off. He needed to focus on the things he had to deal with now. He still didn't really have Thanksgiving planned out, but Aunt Cass had mentioned handling that. He needed to get in contact with her again and settle things there before the week got away from him. Tadashi's helmet was another thing he needed to work on, specifically with finding the right materials to make it with, but he supposed that could be put off to a later time. He also needed to craft more of the gel patches for Tadashi's back. He'd been fortunate to have the supplies he'd needed on hand earlier, but he'd have to stock up if this were going to become a constant thing.

Hiro sighed, pushing a hand through his hair. On top of that, he needed to decide when and how to tell Tadashi about his own changes, as well as the rest of the group. He figured Tadashi deserved to learn first, but he'd already told Fred, and if that got out Tadashi would probably be mad at him for keeping another thing from him. He also needed to find out what Tadashi wanted to do about his own powers and such. They'd partially talked about it earlier, but that was a serious conversation they needed to eventually have and work from. Then there was the issue of figuring out what to do about Tadashi's schooling, and he really did need to check in with how the other nurse robots were coming along.

Forcing his jaw to unclench, Hiro sighed in irritation, feeling a flicker at the back of his throat and mentally thanking himself for depleting his fire reserves earlier. That could be a mess if he were to set his bedroom on fire. But just standing fuming there did nothing to quell the irritation and the desire to do something.

A cheap white ceramic mug sitting empty on his desk caught his attention. It was like hundreds of others down in the shop, easily replaceable. No one would care if he just...

Hiro picked it up, weighing it carefully in his hand, turning it this way and that. Spotting an empty space on the wall, Hiro grinned, rearing his arm back and taking aim. The mug made contact with the wall exactly where he'd planned, and he felt an inexplicable satisfaction at watching it shatter irreparably into hundreds of pieces. White shards covered the floor, and Hiro frowned upon realizing that he'd have to clean this up now.

"You okay?" Tadashi's concerned call came from downstairs, as he'd heard the sound of something breaking.

"Yeah," Hiro called back, staring at the mess in front of him. "Everything's fine."


Monday morning was much busier than normal, and even between the three of them, there wasn't a moment where any of them had nothing to do. Hiro was extremely grateful when the human traffic began to taper around noon, and could only hope that continued. Ara waved goodbye as she grabbed her bag from where it rested next to Kyouji's in the back room and headed off to practice, apologizing for having to leave the other two on their own.

The smell of coffee was beginning to make Hiro inexplicably nauseas, and he hoped he wasn't coming down with anything... or that something else was developing.

"I'm going to take these to the back and get started on them." Hiro picked up the tray that had been holding dishes while the workers had been to busy to attend to them.

"Alright," Kyouji nodded, turning to the people who'd just come up to the front. "What can I get you?"

The older girl balanced what appeared to be a four or five year old on her hip as she studied the menu. "Ah, I'm not a coffee person, much. I'll just stick with some cocoa. Medium." She turned to the younger girl. "What about you, Mari?"

Mari took the ladybug pendant from her bracelet out of her mouth in order to answer. "Sissy, I want that." She was pointing at a strawberry tart on the display.

The older sister considered it for a moment. "That's kinda big... I guess we can split it." Turning back to Kyouji, she gestured at the tart. "One of those, please. Oh, and some water."

Kyouji nodded, entering it into the register. "Go ahead and take a seat, I'll bring it all out when your drink's ready."

Nodding and shifting the younger girl in her arms, the sister accepted the number and went to sit at a nearby table. Setting Mari into the seat, she unstuck the ladybug necklace from behind her little sister's ear, letting it fall properly.

The hot chocolate didn't take long at all to make, and Kyouji brought it and the other parts of the order to the table, setting them down and returning to the counter. Suddenly, Mari scampered down out of her seat, running over to Hiro, who'd just come out of the back room.

"Mari!" The older sister hurried after her. "Don't go running off like that. Ugh, so sorry about that."

Hiro laughed lightly, almost recognizing the two but not quite being able to place them. "No, it's fine—"

"Sissy, sissy! It's the guy from the park!" Mari interrupted Hiro, looking around. "Where's Teddy?" She suddenly demanded.

Hiro knelt down so he was talking face to face with her. "He's out with some friends right now, but I'll tell him you said hi."

"Awww." Mari pouted, scuffing her shoe. "Okay..."

Hiro chuckled, straightening as the sisters made their way back over to the table to finish their snack before leaving.

When the midafternoon lull came around, Hiro decided then would be as good a time as any to restock the display area. The café had mostly emptied out, giving the two room to move and time to complete the task in.

"Hey, could you go around to that side for that display?" Hiro pointed where he wanted Kyouji to go. "I'll pass you things to put on it."

Kyouji nodded, going to the outer side of the counter after washing his hands, leaning against it as he waited for Hiro.

"You know, we've been at this all day." Hiro tapped the pan in the oven with his hand briefly, before taking a better grip on it when he determined it was cool enough. "If you want to take a short break after this, it'd probably be the best time."

"Nah." Kyouji shook his head as Hiro brought the pan over, moving to accept it with both hands. "I don't- ah!"

Kyouji dropped the pan quickly, almost as soon as Hiro had passed it to him, bringing his hands in towards himself as his face scrunched up in pain. "Shi-"

Hiro's confusion quickly turned into fear when he realized the pan might not have been as cool as he'd thought it was. "Oh- sorry! Um, here, let me see-"

Hiro had leaned over the counter and managed to get a hold of Kyouji's wrists, barely catching a glimpse of green before Kyouji tore out of his grip. Hiro blinked and Kyouji had moved, faster than Hiro thought possible, towards the door and was gone in seconds.

By the time Hiro processed what had just happened and had gotten out from behind the counter, Kyouji was nowhere in sight. Hiro stood for a moment just outside of the door, looking both ways down the street, but not seeing him at all.

...what the hell? What was that about?

Hiro chewed on his bottom lip, wanting to go after him, but having to decide against it. He had no idea where in the city to even begin looking, and he had to stay and watch the café, anyway. Maybe if he had even a hint... But Hiro shook his head, going back inside and trying to process.

He definitely hadn't meant to do that. He'd thought the pan had been sitting there, cooling, and the heat hadn't even registered. Hiro began to pick up the fallen pastries, feeling them fall apart as they hadn't cooled yet, either. He tossed them into the trash in the back room, looking closely at his hands for any explanation of why the temperature didn't affect him.

He saw nothing but smooth skin, nothing like what was going on in his throat to protect him from the heat.

So how?

Dropping his hands and letting his gaze rest lazily on whatever was in front of him, Hiro gave up trying to understand for the moment. His eyes widened briefly when he spotted Kyouji's bag still sitting in the spot where he'd left it earlier.

While Hiro still didn't have a way to contact Kyouji, having never received a number in return, surely he'd have to come back. Maybe he just got spooked. Hiro didn't blame him, he'd probably get out of there too if someone had handed him a burning object as if it were nothing. He'd have to think of a good explanation. Maybe he could say his side wasn't as hot because it wasn't as close to the inside of the oven. Yeah, that could work.

Hiro went back into the main of the café, apologizing to a couple of customers who'd been waiting to be served. Business picked back up and Hiro was kept busy, having to greet Tadashi only briefly when he was dropped off, sending him upstairs and avoiding his questions for the time being.

By closing time, which was 7:30 on Mondays, Kyouji still hadn't returned. Hiro hesitated to lock the door, but decided that he could always knock if he came back later. He flipped the sign to 'CLOSED,' determined to keep an ear out.

For now...

Hiro hesitated again, but decided to check the backpack, if only to find a possible return address and phone number. The forms he'd received earlier only had a superficial proof of residency without a stated address, so it was ultimately useless to him. He just needed some way to contact him. He couldn't even as a last resort have Baymax track him down, as Baymax hadn't scanned him specifically earlier.

Hiro finally picked up the bag, it being as full as he'd suspected, but surprisingly lighter. There were no tags on the outside of the worn fabric, and the front pocket was completely empty. When he opened the main pocket, however, he paused.

Why would he need to... carry... his clothes... oh.

Hiro zipped it up, placing it back where it had been and feeling incredibly guilty for snooping around. That wasn't any of his business.

Well, at least, Hiro thought as he made his way back up the stairs, he'll definitely have to come back for that.


**A.N. So, Hiro burned Kyouji. Oops.

I wonder how many people have noticed the countdown...

2**