"There you are!" As soon as they got to the lobby, a familiar Russian accent called. "Where were you two sneaking off to last night?!"

Hana raised an eyebrow at him. "Niko-kun, is that really what you want to ask?"

"... No. I already know." He sighed. "Where else could you want to go after all that? Still, you could've just gone in the morning!"

"Technically, we-"

"Don't you 'technically' me! I don't care if midnight is considered morning for your excuse! You walked all the way across town right in the moment when oxygen is at its least!"

"Niko-kun, I'm fine."

"You could've fainted!"

"She did, actually."

"Muraku-san!"

"And yet, you still brought her with you." He rolled his eyes. "You know, this is exactly why we need to buy you one of those portable oxygen machines."

"No thanks! I don't want them, and I don't need them."

"And let you faint again?"

"It's just one time!"

"No, it's not!" He was glaring now. Something she was never on the other end for. "This has happened countless of times, Hana! You're reckless, careless, and you don't ever stop to think about how your actions affects others!"

"No one ever gets hurt because of me!"

"You get hurt because of you! And you expect us to not care?! Well then I'm sorry, Hana, but we're not your uncle and aunt! We care about you whether you like it or not! You want us to stop worrying about you? Then stop making us worry!" He stormed away, leaving the two stunned by the door.

Muraku turned to the brunette, who remained silent. Slowly, she began staggering to a nearby chair. He helped her walk over and sat down beside her.

"Hana?"

"..."

"Are you alright...?"

"I..." She took a shaky breath. "He's never... He's never been this angry before..."

"Well, he's your best friend. He only wants the best for you."

"I've really been pushing him, haven't I?" She chuckled a little. "It hasn't been all that long ago since I nearly died during that rescue mission. He was frustrated with himself for not being able to be there. And afterwards, we've been sneaking out a lot too. I guess this was the final straw."

"... I'm sorry."

"No, don't say that. I was the one who offered. I wanted to repay you for coming with me to see my mom the other day." She sighed. "I need to make it up to him."

"How do you plan on doing that?"

"I... I'll think of something."

"Well, if you need me, let me know."

She couldn't help the small smile forming on her lips. "I will."

~~~~~

He heard a whistle as he rounded a corner. "You gave her one heck of an earful."

"Shut up, Niara. I'm not in the mood." The younger Russian huffed.

"I assume you weren't."

"Then why are you here?"

"Just wanted to say I'm proud."

"Yeah, well you can shove-" He blinked. "Wait what?"

She smiled. "I'm proud of you. For being open and honest about how you felt. You've been pressing your frustrations down for so long, I was worried you were going to break. But it looks like I didn't have to be."

"... Niara, do you think getting angry like that was the right choice?"

"Yep. Especially if you're besties. Kirito and I had our fair share of serious fights in our relationships. Still do, actually."

"That's because you're a miracle duo. As in, it's a miracle you both even got together in the first place."

"Well, if you're looking for another example, then Eva and I had our moments too."

"Now that I don't believe."

"It happens. And it's normal." She emphasized. "If you can't be open and honest about how you feel about how your friends act, and if they don't listen to you as you critic them, then they're not very good friends. But you also have to be open to criticism from them too. All friendships are a two way bridge, after all."

"Hey Niara?"

"Hm- wh-?!"

He quickly wrapped her in a hug. "Thanks." Before she could hug back, he sprinted off.

"Wha... Hey! You can't just do that and not let me hug you back!"

"And... He's gone."

"AH! Damn it, Kirito! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"And miss out on that dumb face you make? Pass."

"I can't get a break with you, can I?"

"You say that, but you're smiling."

"Am not!"

"Right." He ran a hand through his already messy hair, before sighing. "So was he holding up alright?"

"Who? Nikolai?"

"Who else?"

"He's fine. This is something that was bound to happen anyway."

"Really now?"

"Well, he's been frustrated all this time, but Hana kept pushing on her own, which only made it worse. I think it's about time Nikolai did some of the pushing with her."

"He's always had her back, huh?"

"But he's always worried that there would be no one to catch her on her sides."

"Which is where Houjou comes in."

"The matchmaking thing is going great, but neither of them can really help Hanabi if she doesn't try to help herself."

"Mmhm." The blonde clicked his tongue. "So, about lunch..."

"You're going now, right?"

"Yeah. Can't keep Kousuke waiting."

"Alright then. Make sure he spills all the info he's got."

"I intend to." He headed for the door before turning back to her. "Don't terrorize the terrorist."

"Little old me? Why, I would never!"

"Uh-huh. Sure."

~~~~~

"Alright. Mano, bring Bishop in."

"Yes, sir!"

The door slammed open to reveal a certain Russian fixing her scarf around her neck. "I'm so ready."

~~~~~~~~~~

Detrimental: Causing harm or injury