"You know…"

"Uh-oh."

"You're really strong."

Makoto paused, glancing at Akira over the rim of her cup before carefully putting it down with a sigh. "If you need someone to move furniture…"

"No, no. Just...making an observation."

She raised an eyebrow at the dopey smile on his face but chose not to comment. That is...until he opened his mouth again. "You don't even work out, but you can probably throw me across the room."

"You have very strange ways of complimenting people."

"I'm serious! We've all seen how you just punch everything when we're...I dunno, gallivanting?"

"...Sorry, is this the part where I swoon?"

"What was that thing you said the other day? I mean, you were really hyped up over that fight, but...can't remember."

"Akira-kun…"

"Yeah, yeah, I remember now!'

"Don't you say it-"

"'Fist of JUSTICE'!"

Two minutes later.

"...You didn't have to hit me…"

"I think I did."

Makoto carefully rubbed her knuckles as Akira nursed the fresh bump on his head. "I hope you think about what you say next time."

"Yes, ma'am."

He sighed ruefully and smiled, shutting his book and tossing out his coffee cup. "But I guess that's just another thing I love about you."

Makoto blushed lightly. "You're blushing. Did I get ya?"

"No."

"Lying is bad."

"I'm not!"

"Aw, see, now you're at two."

Akira stood and planted a palm on the table to balance himself as he leaned over to take Makoto's chin between his fingers. "Wanna go for three? Third time's a charm and all that."

"Akira, people are watching."

"Yeah? I'm not doing anything scandalous, just chatting with my cute girlfriend."

"I'm the student council president! And you're still on the school's watch list!"

"Yeah. Know what that means?"

"...That everyone's watching you?"

"Mhm. Everyone's watching me."

Whatever retort Makoto had died in her throat when Akira leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. The surrounding mall-goers let out a collective chorus of assorted "aww"'s, much to Akira's amusement and Makoto's subsequent horror. He held her there for a moment, just long enough to throw away her reservations and enjoy the kiss. Contented, Akira sat back in his chair and grinned at the flustered and flushed Makoto. What he mistook for trembling was actually her shaking in begrudging anger. "See, you won that battle, but I won the war-"

WHACK

College...has begun anew. As such, I haven't had as much time as I would like to sit down and commit a large amount of time to writing. I'll still try to do what I can though. The next chapter of ITF is about halfway done, so that'll be ready when it's ready. Other than that, I'll try and fill the gap with shorter bits, but my mileage may vary there.

Anyway. Hope this was a nice little read. Till next time.