That next morning, Tridon pulled up to Natsuki's house and stretched, "Whoo..." He stepped out of his car and stared at her house, "She said her dad was strict. I hope he's not 'no boys allowed' strict." Tridon made his way to the door and knocked on it.

The door opened to a man slightly shorter than Tridon, scrawny and wearing glasses. One other particular feature was the lack of the bright pink hair color Natsuki had, "Good morning sir. My name is Tridon." Tridon held his hand out and greeted the man, "I do believe you're Natsuki's father, right?"

"That is correct. One moment." Natsuki's dad slowly closed the door and left Tridon hanging. Tridon held a blank expression before putting his ear against the door.

"Dad, is he here?"

"Yes, but why didn't you tell me he was tall, well-kept, and so well-mannered?"

"That doesn't sound like him. Are you sure it's the right guy?"

"His name is Tridon right?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, he's out there."

"Okay..." Tridon backed up when he heard Natsuki making her way to the door. The door slowly opened to show Natsuki looking at him, "So it is you."

"What's up with your dad?"

"Why do you choose now to have some sense?"

"Well, he's your dad. Don't I have to present myself in a sophisticated manner?"

"You mean like a weanie?"

"No." Tridon looked at Natsuki's dad and waved at him, "Why does he look so nervous? I thought you said he was strict."

"Did say that? I meant over-protective. That's a better word to describe him."

"Yeah. Wait, is he nervous of me hanging out with you?"

"A little. I think he sees you as some jocky, rich guy."

"Wow. The exact thing I hate..." Tridon sighed and called out to him, "Excuse me."

"Yes?" Her dad responded.

"Look, I'm not some jock or rich kid. I actually despise that." Tridon leaned on the door and continued, "I'm actually a nerd to be honest."

"What?" He responded in shocked manner.

"Yeah. I like playing video games, geeking out about manga like your daughter, and goofing off. I did do sports before though, but I can't play sports anymore."

"My daughter told me about your sports past." Her dad scratched the back of her head and laughed, "I guess I misjudged you because that's all she really told me about. That and the zombie adventure you and the club had the other day."

"Right. See?" Tridon laughed and held out his hand, "Please don't see me as those types of losers." Natsuki's dad shook it and smiled at him.

"He's a keeper Natsuki. Please be sure to tell me when you two get married, okay?"

"Dad!" Natsuki yelled while a blush rose on her face.

"Interesting..." Tridon mouthed, "Well, should we get started with baking?" Tridon checked his watched and nodded, "We have 3-4 hours to get everything ready. Let's get to baking!"

"Yeah!"


While they were baking, Natsuki decided to ask Tridon, "Hey Tridon, why don't you like cupcakes?"

"It's not that I don't like them. I'm just on a hardcore diet and it requires a low carb intake. The only carbs I take is a bowl of oats every morning. Even then, I sometimes cut out carbs entirely in a day."

"So how much and what do you eat in a day?"

"Mostly meat, poultry, eggs, and anything that doesn't have starch. As for calories, I keep it around 1200 a day."

"Isn't it hard to keep up like that?"

"It's always like that when you start out, but when your body adjusts, it's nothing more than just another day."

"I see." Natsuki placed the fresh cupcakes on the counter and smiled, "Are you sure you don't want just one?"

"I'd love to Natsuki trust me, but my cheat day is tomorrow, so if anything, if today was tomorrow, I'd probably be eating a cupcake or 2."

"Okay..." Natsuki nodded and smiled, "Well, just about nearly done. Maybe another batch of cupcakes should do it."

"Sweet." Tridon looked down at Natsuki who prepared another baking tray and smiled, "Hey Natsuki."

"Hm?" As soon as Natsuki turned around, Tridon placed some batter on her nose, "What the...?"

"Hm. I thought that's be a lot more fun."

"It's only more fun when more than one person does it!" Natsuki took some batter on her fingertips and dragged them across his face, "Like that."

"Wait." Tridon took the prepared baking tray and placed it in the oven, "Just so we don't lose that tray." Tridon turned around to a palm of batter.

"Oops."

"Oh you're so getting it." Tridon charged Natsuki and the messy batter war between the two began.


This continued until the cupcakes were finished and the two were covered in batter. The two were on the floor laughing loudly and smiling ear to ear, "Haha," Natsuki looked up and Tridon and lightly punched his arm, "maybe you aren't as stupid as I thought."

"I'm not stupid." Tridon retorted, "I just like goofing off." Tridon wiped some of the batter off himself and flicked it, "Still, I had fun for the last hour and half." Tridon looked at his watch and shook his arm to relief some of the batter off and sighed, "We still have an hour until we have to leave and I'd rather not look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy when we get there."

"Right."

"Does your dad have a bathroom that I can use? I don't want to use yours."

"Why not?"

"Well, it's your bathroom. A female's bathroom. I think it'd be better for me ethically to use your father's shower."

"Right, but do you have anything to change into?"

"I do. Uh." Tridon took out his car keys and handed them to Natsuki, "Can you go in my car and get my duffel bag. I have some of my workout clothes in there that I can change into."

"Alright."

"Just leave them wherever I can get them."

"Okay." Natsuki took his keys and walked outside towards Tridon's car. She saw his duffel bag in the back seat and took it out, "Pretty heavy for a duffel bag..." Natsuki struggled carrying the bag back in. Once she got inside and shut the door, she placed the bag on the ground and grew rather curious, "He has a lot of clothes in here. I wonder what kinda clothes he has for working out."

Natsuki took a moment to look around and huffed, "I'm not doing what Monika did and sniffing his clothes. I'm just interested." Natsuki unzipped the bag and took out multiple clothes differing in wear. Tank tops, muscle shirts, compression shirts along with basketball shorts and such.

"Natsuki." Tridon called out from in front of her, "Those are my clothes."

"U-Uh..."

"Why?"

"You know what they say."

"Don't use the cat saying." Tridon grabbed his bag and sighed, "You should probably get cleaned too. We don't have much time."

"Right."


When the two were finished with cleaning themselves up and loaded up all the baked goods in the car, they were ready to head off for a day of selling baked goods. Tridon leaned on his car while he waited for Natsuki outside.

He sighed and checked his phone. There were several missed calls from someone labeled as "Big Sister" on his phone, "Oh no..." He quickly erased the notification and put his phone back in his pocket, "Not today..."

Natsuki joined him outside while sighing deeply, "Sorry. My dad was on my case about staying safe and all that."

"It's fine. Let's get going before we're too late."

"Yeah." Natsuki hopped in the front seat and waited for Tridon to enter the car too. However, he still stood outside checking his phone again. She heard a muffled groan and Tridon stuff his phone in his pocket.

He sat in the car and sighed, "Ready?"

"What was that Tridon?"

"Just one of those stupid scam numbers. They're annoying."

"Oh. Yeah. I hate those stupid scam calls. You'd think they'd learn that nobody wants whatever they're selling."

"Right..." Tridon nodded as he started up the car.


After a short 30 minute drive downtown, they arrived on a massive setup in the center of downtown in front of a nice fountain. Multiple tables and people surrounded the fountain. Tridon parked in the nearby parking lot and stepped out.

"Quite a few people, isn't it Natsuki?"

"Yeah. It's a community event to help my friend's Boys and Girls Club."

"That's nice." Tridon opened the trunk and took out the cupcakes they baked, "Can you close the trunk please Natsuki?"

"No problem."

"It's definitely cool looking here with an amazingview of the fountain." Tridon chuckled and looked around at the mass amount of people, "I would half expect Sayori to be here solely for the cupcakes."

"Make sure she pays for it Tridon."

"I will. Either that or I'll end up paying for her pastries and stuff."

"Uh oh..."

"What?" Tridon looked at what she was looking and noticed 3 girls from their school, "Aren't those girls part of the volleyball team?"

"Yeah..." Natsuki softly answered, "And my bullies..."

"Bullies?" Tridon softly asked inciting a nod from Natsuki. Tridon nudged her lightly and smiled at her, "Don't worry. I'm here. If they say anything..." Tridon thought for a second and said, "I can't hit them, but I can tell them off."

"Thanks Tridon."


Once they had set up their station, those same girls confronted Natsuki who had just finished setting up her cupcakes, "How's it going Nat."

"It's Natsuki Chelsea..." Natsuki softly responded.

"Oh sorry Nat. You're just small like a gnat and I just had to call you Nat."

"Chelsea, it's not the time to be doing this..."

"Why not? You're handing out cupcakes right?" The leader of the trio of girls, Chelsea, snatched a cupcake and started to eat it, "Wow. These are good. You must eat these all the time." Chelsea looked Natsuki up and down and smirked, "Too bad they don't go where it matters."

"Is there a problem?" Tridon intervened. The trio of bullies stared up at Tridon and took a step back, "Did you pay for that?"

"N-No..."

"Well, I'm sorry, but cupcakes are a dollar each. Cookies are 1.50 for 3. If you're going to have anything here, you'll have to pay for it."

The girls stood speechless and took one look at Natsuki, "Are you her boyfriend?" Chelsea asked.

"No, but I am her friend. Look, I'll need you to pay for what you already ate."

"Y-Yeah sure..." Chelsea quickly took out a dollar and handed it to Tridon.

"Thank you. Have a nice day." Tridon smiled at the girls who were visibly shocked and speechless while walking away, "I think my demeanor shocked them."

"No dude." Natsuki retorted, "It was your overall appearance. Your muscles... looks..."

"Go on..." Tridon cooed.

"Shut up. Let's just keep selling." Natsuki looked Tridon up and down while smiling, "If you're dressed like that, use your body to get us customers."

"I'm on it." Tridon stepped in front of the table and flex a little, "I'll flex a little and get some sales for your friend."

"Nice..." Natsuki watched Tridon from behind and nearly salivated, "Very nice..."


An hour into their sale, they were making progress with sales. Nearly all of the cupcakes were sold and their last tray of cookies were getting attention too.

"We're killing it Natsuki." Tridon commented as he handed some cupcakes to a couple, "I never knew your baked goods would be such a hit."

"That goes to show you that nobody can match my baking skills."

"I must admit, it sucks I won't be able to have one tomorrow."

"Oh well..." Natsuki softly started, but was interrupted when Tridon held his hand up, "What?"

"That same guy," Tridon started, "he's come here multiple times for free samples. We've lost 5 cupcakes already because of him."

"Wait what?"

"Yeah."

"What are you gonna do."

"He's coming back. Just let me handle it."

"Don't beat him up..."

"I won't." Tridon reassured Natsuki, but he proceeded to pop his knuckles and neck, "Not unless I have to."

The young man walked up and stared at the cupcakes, "Hey there. I'm here for another sample of your delicious cupcakes."

"Wait Tridon..." Natsuki tried to intervene, but Tridon stopped her.

"I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to pay for your next cupcake."

"Why? That girl told me that they were free " The guy pointed at Natsuki who avoided their gazes, "So give me my sample."

"I'm sorry man, but you're gonna have to pay for it"

"Tch." The guy scoffed and reached for a cupcake, but Tridon picked up the tray and handed it to Natsuki, "Hey!" He yelled.

"They're a dollar. If you find it hard to purchase, then please enjoy the other attractions here."

"Listen here, you're going to give me one whether you like it or not."

"Or what?" Tridon challenged, "There are plenty of witnesses here. If you throw a punch, I might just let you hit me. Then you'll be the one that assaulted me." Tridon stepped closer to man and growled, "Then it'll give me the chance to defend myself."

The guy backed up slowly while Tridon glared at him. Tridon chuckled and turned around.

"See. Just gotta express yourself as the alpha." Tridon laughed and patted her head, "That wannabe alpha-male did the right thing by walking away."

Natsuki looked past him and saw the guy charging him, "Tridon!" However, it was too late, the guy tackled Tridon from behind, knocking Natsuki and the cupcakes to the ground in the process.

The two wrestled on the ground for a minute until Tridon slipped from his grasp and helped Natsuki up, "Are you okay?"

"Worry about the guy!"

The guy attempted to tackle him again, but Tridon side stepped him. Tridon noticed from the corner of his eyes that people were on their phones calling for the police. He nodded and prepared to dodge the whole time.

Each punch the guy threw, Tridon ducked under and kept his movements light. The man grew frustrated and attempted to grab him, but Tridon brushed the man off.

"Stop dodging!"

"Just buying time meathead..." Tridon mumbled to himself. Eventually, he saw some off-duty police officers make their way to him, "Just in time..." However, during that moment of distraction, he was tackled to the ground. The man delivered two stuff punches to Tridon's cheeks. The third one was blocked which gave Tridon time to kick him into the table.

The guy's head hid the corner of the table and he was knocked out. Tridon sat up and rubbed his cheeks, "Ah damn..."

"Tridon!" Natsuki yelled as she rushed to his side, "Are you okay?"

"He got me good." Tridon shook his face and smiled warmly at Natsuki, "I'm good though." He stood up and looked down at Natsuki, "You got knocked down in the process. You aren't hurt are you?"

"Now that you say it." Natsuki rubbed her ankle and sighed, "I think I twisted my ankle when you two fell into me."

"Let me look at it." Tridon knelt down and felt her ankle, "Does it hurt?"

"It's not too bad. I'm sure if I just keep pressure off it; then it should be fine."

"Are you sure?" Tridon asked, "I have something in my bag to help with light sprains."

"If you want..."

"I'll do it. The last thing I want to do is worry your father when I drop you back off."

"Thanks Tridon..."

"No problem." Tridon looked back at the guy who was now being carried off by the off-duty police officers, "I know him. He's a former teammate of mine when I played football in middle school. Probably doesn't remember me, but he used to play for another school until he got kicked off."

"Why?"

"I think what just happen should tell you why."

"Oh..."

Tridon looked at the cupcakes on the ground and sighed, "Well, the cupcakes are ruined. They're what were making us the most."

"But don't worry." Natsuki reassured Tridon, "I saved one for you." Natsuki pointed to a tiny carryout container and smiled, "I made it for you last night. I was hoping you would eat it today, but you said your cheat day was tomorrow so..."

"Hey dudet," Tridon interrupted, "it's cool. I'll happily take it." Natsuki smiled back warmly and stood up.

"Well, I guess it's time to clean up." Natsuki commented.

"No need Natsuki." A girl around their age interrupted, "We'll take care of it. You two can head on home now."

"Really Julie?" Natsuki questioned, "But we still have more cookies to sell."

"We'll handle that." Julie responded, "You two deserve a much needed break."

"Th-Thanks Julia." Natsuki beamed a smile at her and chuckled, "Haha..."


Later that day, Tridon stopped in front of Natsuki's house to drop her off and smiled at her, "Here you go Natsuki."

"I wanna thank you again Tridon. I know it was something to waste your time on, but I really do appreciate it."

"No problem. I definitely had fun today."

"So did I." Natsuki fell silent for a second before adding, "I also wanna thank you for taking care of those bullies and that guy. If you didn't realize, that guy is also Chelsea's boyfriend. So it's obvious she would try to sick her boyfriend on you."

"Natsuki, if they cause you anymore trouble, come to me, okay? You're my friend and club member. It worries me a little to know that both her and her friends are messing with you."

"Don't worry. I can usually handle, but if I need you, I'll come right away."

"Good."

"So uh..." Natsuki fell silent again which was met with Tridon pinching her face, "Huh?"

"Sorry. You're face is like Sayori's. Very cute and pinchable."

"S-Stop!" Natsuki slapped Tridon's hand away and grabbed her cheek, "I-I'll see you Monday..." Natsuki quickly ran off with a bright pink blush on her face.

"Haha..." Tridon took a moment to make sure she got to her house and inside safely before taking out his phone. He had turned it off before he drove off earlier that day and turned it on. Once it turned on, he noticed multiple messages from "Big Sister" all telling him to answer his phone or to pick up. One last message read:

"I'm coming there this week."

Tridon frowned and threw his phone to the side and rest his head on his steering wheel. Natsuki watched all this from inside and worried a little. She mumbled to herself, "Who the hell is calling you?"


A/N: Here's a longer chapter for all you beautiful people out there. This time we have a Natsuki chapter. After this, we hit some drama from the mysterious "Big Sister" character that was texting Tridon. What's gonna happen? I know, but none you do. Muehehehehehe. Haha yeet! I hope you enjoyed!