The next day, Kotetsu woke up with a throbbing headache and a hazy recollection of his conversation with Antonio. He knew he had to face Barnaby eventually, but the thought of confessing his feelings made his stomach churn with nerves.

At Hero TV headquarters, Kotetsu and Barnaby were assigned a routine patrol. As they suited up, Kotetsu decided to test the waters with a light-hearted approach.

"Ready to go, Bunny?" Kotetsu said with a playful grin.

Barnaby froze, turning to face Kotetsu with a sharp glare. "What did you just call me?"

Kotetsu chuckled nervously. "Bunny. You know, because of your last name. It's cute."

Barnaby's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "I forbid you from calling me Bunny. My first name is Barnaby."

Kotetsu's smile faded, replaced by a look of surprise and confusion. "Come on, it's just a nickname. No need to get so worked up."

Barnaby took a step closer, his voice low and tense. "I'm serious, Kotetsu. I don't like it. Respect my name."

Realizing he had overstepped, Kotetsu raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry, Barnaby. I didn't mean to upset you."

Barnaby turned away, his shoulders tense. "Let's just focus on the patrol."

The atmosphere between them was strained as they navigated the city streets. Kotetsu silently berated himself for his thoughtless remark, while Barnaby struggled to rein in his irritation. Despite the tension, they carried out their duties efficiently, working in sync as always.

As they returned to headquarters, Kotetsu couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to make things right. He waited until they were back in the locker room before speaking up.

"Barnaby, I'm really sorry about earlier," Kotetsu said, his tone earnest. "I didn't mean to disrespect you. I guess I was just trying to be friendly."

Barnaby sighed, his anger dissipating as he looked at Kotetsu's sincere expression. "I understand, Kotetsu. I just... I've always been sensitive about my name. It's one of the few things I have left from my parents."

Kotetsu's heart ached at the vulnerability in Barnaby's voice. "I get it, Barnaby. And I promise I won't call you that again."

Barnaby nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you."

With the tension eased, they resumed their routine. Kotetsu found himself watching Barnaby more closely, his admiration for his partner growing with each passing day. He knew he had to be more mindful of Barnaby's feelings and work on earning his trust.

Later that evening, as they parted ways, Barnaby turned to Kotetsu. "By the way, if you really want to give me a nickname, just make sure it's something I can live with."

Kotetsu grinned, relieved to see a hint of humor in Barnaby's eyes. "Got it. I'll think of something good."

As they went their separate ways, Kotetsu felt a renewed sense of determination. He knew winning Barnaby's trust wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to put in the effort. After all, Barnaby was more than just his partner—he was becoming someone truly special to him.