It didn't take long for Taishiro and the other heroes to heal, and they were back to work before they knew it. The first thing that Taishiro did after getting out of the hospital was going straight to Mazeru to see Risa and enjoy another delicious meal.

Risa had taken an hour or two out of her day each day that he remained in the hospital, bringing him a special treat and checking in to see how he was doing. She found that she could really relax and be herself around Taishiro, which was something she hadn't really felt before with anyone else aside from her grandfather. She liked the man and had a genuine interest in getting to know him, maybe even become friends.

Taishiro was happy to see her, appreciating the treats she would bring him on her visits, but he knew that something was bothering her and she was trying to hide it as best as she could. She always had the same expression that she had had the first time he had been to Mazeru after she had handled the situation with Matsuro, but he could tell that she didn't want to talk about it so he didn't ask.

After he was discharged from the hospital, Taishiro went back to work and eased back into it. Red Riot and Suneater's internship was coming to an end as well, though, so he made sure to bring them by Mazeru one last time before they had to return to school.

The bell dinged at the main entrance of Mazeru and Seiryo looked up to see Fat Gum and his interns coming inside, out of costume and in civilian clothes. He almost didn't recognize the boys if it hadn't been for Red Riot's crimson hair and Suneater's timid demeanor.

"Well now, not often we see you taking time off," Seiryo teased a bit.

Taishiro looked from Seiryo to the boys. "Their internship at the agency is over and they're due to return home later this evening. I thought I'd bring them by to say enjoy one last meal from Mazeru before they go."

"That and we wanted to say goodbye to Miss Risa!"

Risa came out of the kitchen and saw Taishiro standing there- in his fat form but in civilian clothes. "Taishiro?"

Taishiro smiled at her. "Hey, Miss Risa, hope you're not too busy?"

Risa smiled back and shook her head. "No, you guys came at a perfect time." She looked to Red Riot and Suneater. "Aww, look at you boys, you're adorable." Her smile grew when Red Riot laughed nervously and Suneater blushed and looked away. "You're heading home after this, then?"

Red Riot nodded. "Yeah, we're all done with our work-study."

"I see, well then, let's get you guys something extra special this time. Sit wherever you'd like."

Taishiro and the boys sat in their usual spot at the bar and Seiryo got their usual drink order put together.

"So, what should we call you boys?" Risa asked as she came out with some appetizers for them.

"Oh, right!" Red Riot beamed up at her. "I'm Eijiro Kirishima and this is Tamaki Amajiki!"

Risa's smile grew. "It's nice to meet you, boys. Here, some gyoza and takoyaki to start with. Any special requests?"

Taishiro and Seiryo watched as Eijiro and Tamaki told Risa what they wanted, then Taishiro offered Risa a smile when she asked what he wanted.

"Anything is fine by me."

Risa returned his smile. "OK, sounds good. I'll have things ready for you here in just a bit."

Seiryo looked between Risa and Taishiro, brow raised, and when Risa was out of earshot, he asked, "Since when have you two become so friendly?"

"She visited me in the hospital," Taishiro replied. "Every day, she brought me a treat to help me get better."

"Ah, so that's what she was doing," Seiryo chuckled. "She never said where she was going, but she seemed to look forward to her breaks a lot more than she usually does."

Taishiro's smile grew for a moment, but it faded and his brow furrowed a bit. "Seiryo, is everything OK? She always has a smile but I can tell something is bothering her." He looked from Seiryo to where he could see Risa cooking at the stove in the back- the occasional flash of blue from her Frostfire lighting up her face. "Then that first night, when she brought that big order to the hospital, I saw her arguing with someone in the parking lot as she was trying to leave."

Seiryo sighed and looked at Risa, his arms crossing. "Hopefully nothing we can't handle ourselves, but she promised that if it becomes too much that she'll reach out for help."

Taishiro knew better than to push things, so he left it at that. "Well, anyway, how's business been?"

While her grandfather was talking with Taishiro, Risa was busy cooking up a storm. She had yakitori grilling as well as the meats for various rice bowl dishes, then had some udon cooking to the side as she was slicing the chashu that was ready.

"Risa, do you need help, dear?"

"I've got it, Gramps, thanks though!" Risa called back, then turned her attention to the sukiyaki next.

Seiryo sighed and shook his head with a smile, turning his attention back to Taishiro and the boys. "I swear that girl lives for cooking."

"She's really good," Eijiro said, beaming up at the old man. "That food she brought Mr. Fat Gum made him feel so much better!"

"Alright, here we go!" Risa said, bringing out the dishes a few at a time. "Hope you're hungry!"

"Whoah! You went all out!"

Risa grinned. "You guys have been working so hard and it's your last visit here for who knows how long, so it's the least I could do." She met Taishiro's gaze and winked. "Eat up and don't be shy!"

Taishiro blushed a little but turned his attention to the sukiyaki as Seiryo brought it out. "Mmmm, that smells delicious!"

Risa beamed at him. "Go ahead and dig in, then!"