Chapter Two

They were just getting ready for the big night. Hiro was watching and waiting carefully, his robot Megabot tucked securely underneath his hoodie narrowing his eyes when Masashi finally walked in the Hamada residence. Dressed in a simple white buttoned shirt and grey pants.

"So: You're siding with the enemy?"

Masashi rolled his eyes, making himself comfortable on their couch. "You know your older brother is actually a pretty cool person if you spend some time with him."

The youngest Hamada sibling rolled his eyes in response, shaking his head in disbelief. Although Hiro would never admit it out loud, as of late he had begun to feel as if his own friendship with Masashi was dwindling day by day. They used to have so much fun together when they first met. "Sounds like weird and boring stuff to me." Hiro muttered, seating himself beside his friend.

"He only wants to make sure our scholarships don't run out is all." Masashi commented, trying to be more patient with him.

"How DID you guys get in anyway?"

Masashi's mouth opened as if he were going to give him the explanation, but they both began pondering. Really…Tadashi didn't even tell him or his own brother just how they managed to get in a university like SFTI.

"Masashi…I fear for all of us now." Hiro commented dryly, pulling his legs up to his chin. "Still though, I never would've thought someone like you would end up at that nerd school."

"It's a little thing called 'growing up'. You're just ticked at me for not going to those Bot fights without Tadashi-."

"What about me?"

Masashi let out a yelp the minute Tadashi entered the room, all the while trying not to blush at how he looked this evening…dressed in a tuxedo that fit his body perfectly, grumbling as he tried getting his tie on however thanking Masashi who helped him get it straightened out chuckling sheepishly. "Ah thanks Masashi: I would have been here all night trying to get this thing on."

"No problem," Masashi chuckled.

"Now what was it you two were talking about?"

But seeing his brother and best friend look at one another, then give him matching innocent smiles saying 'Nothing Dashi. Nothing at all' only made him more apprehensive by the minute.

I'll bring it up later after the thing's over… he decides in the end, scratching the back of his neck. "Anyway: Masashi are ya all set? And you're sure you don't want to come with us, Hiro?"

Hiro scoffed with his trademark eye roll. "Why on Earth would I go to your nerd school?"

"Because it's actually entertaining?"

"Oh you mean showing the audience this? 'Here's my virtual girlfriend/boyfriend folks! Aren't they fiiiiiiine?' He let out a yelp when Masashi bopped him on the head giving him a look of disbelief. "Um…ow! What the heck was that for Sashi?"

"Can't you give your brother a break for once? And last time I noticed you aren't such a hot-shot yourself in the dating pool."

"Robotics is my true love." Hiro dead panned.

"Aw you really don't want us here do you?" Tadashi mocked giving him a grin. "Alright. No Gummy Bears for-." He cursed under his breath when Hiro held up a bag of them. "Damn. …Oh crap Masashi we gotta get a move on! We're already two minutes late."

"Okay, okay! Don't shove."

"Have fun love birds!"

"WE AREN'T LOVE BIRDS!"

Almost the minute Tadashi slammed the front door shut and he heard his moped take off, a certain glint appeared in Hiro's eyes as he grinned down at his Megabot.

Time for some real fun now

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

The minute they arrived at the university and Masashi saw how…many cars were in the parking lot he swallowed a heavy lump in his throat. It's okay…it'll be okay. You won't make a fool of yourself. Not this time… he repeated that little mantra of his over and over in his mind only to grin when he heard Fred's familiar voice.

"The Duck-Tape Overlord has returned!" The young man shouted giving Tadashi and Masashi each a fist bump.

"Good to see you again Fred," Tadashi chuckled looking at each of their friends. "I can't believe we're finally going to introduce Baymax to the community. This is going to be huge!" He gave a sheepish grin. "We've been working on this for a month I'd say."

"You mean using me as your pin cushion? While working out on the bugs?" Masashi teased, laughing at the playful narrow of his friend's eyes.

"Will you stop with that? And duct tape is completely different from needles."

GoGo gave a roll of her eyes at their playful banter before flashing Masashi a quick smirk. "Oh yeah: Masashi, Professor Ackerman was looking for you not too long ago."

The minute she mentioned his name, Wasabi, Fred and Honey Lemon all 'oooood' in a childish manner whereas Masashi's face flushed and Tadashi arched a curious brow. Professor Alex Ackerman was one of the newer ones at San Fransokyo Technical Institute: A young one, close to his late twenties and very attractive.

"P-Professor Ackerman? What'd he want to talk with me about?" Masashi made an attempt not to stutter.

"Yeah. Why does he want to talk to Masashi?"

GoGo gave a one shouldered shrug, shaking her head at Tadashi's questioning tone popping her gum again. "Dunno," she replied. "Just that he wanted to see you after the expo or something said he wanted to take you out for coffee if you weren't busy that is."

Again, Wasabi, Fred and Honey Lemon 'ooood' before snickering at the glare Masashi tossed at them. "Oh c'mon man," Wasabi laughed giving him a nudge. "We're just playin around with ya! We know you and the prof are only friends."

"Sure you guys do."

As they started to prepare Baymax however, getting him geared up and such Tadashi was silently brooding behind the group. His hands clenched slightly at his sides biting the inside of his cheek.

Professor Ackerman does seem to be focusing on Masashi a lot lately…every time we're together he's always right there with us. But he shook his head, actually giving himself a little slap across the face. Oh will you stop it? He's a good guy: You can't prevent Masashi from going with other people that wouldn't be right. It's only for coffee anyway.

"Wait, wait!" Honey Lemon's voice snapped him out of his thoughts when the 'eccentric' girl pulled them all in for a group photo. "Say Baymax!"

"Baymax!"

CLICK

"We'll be right in the crowds." She gave them a good luck wink and the group headed down off the stage save for Tadashi, Masashi and Fred that is.

Masashi could feel his heart just pounding against his chest, surprised it didn't leap right out and hop off the stage making a break for the exits. He could practically feel everyone in the crowd watching the trio with anticipation and curiosity. But the ones who made him most nervous were Professor Callaghan and Professor Ackerman.

Someone pressed the play button. Music began playing from the speakers.

Typical Tadashi….the Hamada's always have to make a big presentation for everything. And is that VIDEO game music? He gave the older of the two a 'Really? Are you for real?' kind of look but all he received was one of his infamous grins.

The trio then proceeded to introduce themselves, Masashi pleased with himself that he didn't stutter like a fool this time. "Okay: First a little adjustment has to be made. After all it's not science without a little pain right?" Some of the crowd actually laughed at Tadashi's joke.

RIIIIIIIIIP

Everyone cringed or hissed at Fred's pained cry. Well almost everyone.

"Woman up!" GoGo shouted from her spot.

Tadashi motioned Masashi to speak next, looking with concern as did Fred. This was it. All eyes were on him. He could see Honey Lemon and Wasabi giving him an assuring thumbs up, nodding eagerly for him to speak. Refusing to let his stage fright overcome him this time, Masashi loosened himself up and cleared his throat activating Baymax whom drove over towards Fred.

The robot inflated giving a cute little wave. "Hello. I am Baymax, your personal health care companion."

Masashi stepped forward making a gesture. "This, ladies and gentlemen is Baymax. The world's first portable robot medical kit." A smile actually crossed over his face when some in the crowd gave impressed awes and oos.

Wow. Am I actually talking? Not stuttering like a moron? Huh. This isn't so bad after all

"I was alerted you were in need of medical attention when you said 'ow'."

Oh he and Tadashi tried not to laugh when Fred commented on his 'man hair' ripped out of his chest. "Dude! You ripped my man hair off!"

Those ten little faces appeared on Baymax's chest. "On a scale of one to ten how bad do you hurt?"

Masashi could see Fred wanted to say 'Crying phase' but the minute he saw GoGo cracking her knuckles he swallowed. "Uh…eight?"

Tadashi fought his hardest to not face palm ignoring the smirk Masashi threw his way. Why did everyone say eight? "You have a small epidermal abrasion on your upper torso." Baymax said, holding one finger up.

"Don't hurt me." Fred whimpered, squeezing his eyes shut only to crack one open when Baymax applied the same antibiotic he gave Masashi just some nights ago.

"Now don't let Baymax's huggable/cute design fool you," Tadashi took over next for a minute seeing some people held questioning looks on their faces. "He has a carbon fiber skeleton that makes lifting even the heaviest patients a breeze." Watching the robot pick Fred up with ease.

"He's like a marshmallow!"

Masashi actually let out a laugh along with some others from the crowd at his friend's reaction, though when he locked looks with Professor Ackerman he instantly turned away clearing his throat. "The heart of Baymax is his healthcare chip," Tadashi continued.

"Programmed with over ten thousand medical procedures and home to his caregiving matrix." Masashi said after.

"I cannot deactivate until you say, you are satisfied with your care."

"In that case….we're satisfied with our care." The duo said in unison. Once Fred had been placed down, the robot stepped back in his case sealing himself up. "And that, ladies and gentlemen is Baymax."

The feeling of accomplishment coursed through their bodies when the crowd burst forth with grand applause. They even heard a whistle or two from Wasabi and Honey Lemon, letting out sheepish laughs thanking everyone for attending. With that, the trio headed off the stage followed by their robot laughing when Honey Lemon nearly glomped them in a hug.

"You guys were so great! And Masashi you actually overcame your stage fright!"

"Thank God it wasn't like last time when you stood frozen the entire time." GoGo added slapping him once on the back in acknowledgement.

Masashi chuckled before grinning at Tadashi. "Man: Just wait until Hiro sees Baymax! He's going to love him."

Tadashi grinned back pulling the other in a one armed hug. "I'm sure he will Masashi." An older man then came up to the group followed by Prof. Ackerman. The students instantly perked up at the sight of Callaghan but Tadashi pursed his lips seeing Ackerman, putting a little bit more pressure on Masashi's shoulder without knowing until the other spoke up in a whisper. "Oh. Sorry Masashi." He muttered.

"Very well done Mr. Hamada, Mr. Nishino." Callaghan said with honesty, holding out two envelopes. Tadashi grinned and took them.

"Thank you so much Prof. Callaghan. It means a lot."

Professor Ackerman spoke up next smiling genuinely at them. "That truly was an outstanding presentation. One of the best I've seen yet: You really do take after your father don't you Masashi?"

The red head gave a bashful sound of laughter, a blush appearing on his face. "Thank you professor Ackerman but I'm nowhere near close to my father. He's a whole other level compared to me."

They talked for some minutes, Masashi feeling Tadashi glare at Ackerman from behind his back when the professor took his hand in his giving it a soft squeeze. "I'll still see you on Tuesday then?"

"Of course sir. Tuesday it is."

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

The night air was always cooler compared to the hot/humid air in the morning for summers in San Fransokyo. Wasabi had suggested they all go out to eat as a group but Masashi and Tadashi had grown a little too tired and from the lack of sleep they both had been receiving due to staying up so late at night.

"So…you two are still going together?" Tadashi asked, Masashi blinking in a bit of surprise as to why he was asking him about his meeting with Ackerman. "Are you sure it's appropriate for a student to be out with his professor?"

The younger of the two arched a brow, getting on the older male's moped. "Appropriate? Dashi, you're making it seem like I'm dating the guy…we're just-."

"I'm not making it seem like it's anything!" Tadashi snapped suddenly. Befuddled by his own sudden shouting. He very, rarely shouted at anyone no matter what. Not even when Hiro was driving him nuts.

Masashi picked up on that for he narrowed his eyes at his friend, lips pursed and crossing his arms over his chest. "Are you saying I'm making it seem like something then? I don't know why you're becoming so jealous of Professor Ackerman lately."

Tadashi let out a scoff, adjusting his helmet gripping his handlebars perhaps a little too tight. "Jealous? You're accusing me of being jealous? Ha don't make me laugh." He kicked the moped in gear after making sure Masashi had his helmet on, speeding down the street.

Masashi grumbled something under his breath that fortunately for Tadashi he couldn't understand when they reached the Lucky Cat Café, Tadashi skidding his moped to a halt the two giving one another a good long glaring look. "I just don't know what to say when you tell me you're going on a date with your own professor."

"A date? Really Tadashi?" Masashi sighed wearily, shaking his head in disbelief. "Did I even say it was a 'date'? No I didn't. I think you need to clean out your ears!"

Both were clearly offending each other for Tadashi glowered down at Masashi who glared up at the taller of the two in return.

"….I don't know why you're being like this all of a sudden towards Professor Ackerman," Masashi said coolly. "But I'm going, Tadashi. Whether you like it or not."

And that was that.

When Masashi walked briskly back to his apartment that was only a few blocks down from the café, Tadashi lent against the doors of the building squeezing his eyes shut wondering just why the Hell he was acting like this lately.