"Hold on. I what?"

"Mai. You complete me."

She blushed. "Marik why are you telling me this?"

"You helped me get on track. And I think of you every day. You're my guardian angel."

"Oh... Yeah. Right. I am. I did heal your wounds and comfort you."

"Still never felt affection like that ever."

"Well Haru invited you over. Compare me to her. A little smaller in bust but not by much. Hair is shinier for a brunette. She can cook, love, and care. I know you are so skeptical, but give it a chance."

"One date can't hurt right?"

"Exactly. Look. Just have fun. That's what she wants. And you too. Worry about that."

"I will. Thanks Mai. I'm off to work." He locks the door and speeds up. He was out of sight in seconds.

Why does my chest hurt so much? It feels sore and there is this sinking sensation. I want it to stop. Only been happening around him too.

~~~~~

Kuma arrives to work five minutes early and clocks in. His boss is waiting for him.

"Marik good to see you." He smiles and shakes his hand.

"You as well Doctor."

"Want to get back to that closet?"

"Yes sir. I would to."

"I think it would take maybe five hours. Tell you what. Get it done early I'll pay you the whole five hours. Maybe that will motivate you."

"You kidding? Deal." He said excitedly.

He laughed. "You have a date tonight Marik?"

"Funny you say that Doctor. I do have one tonight."

"Tell me." He insisted. He is going with her after all.

"Haru."

His face fell. "Ohhh. Congratulations."

"Something wrong Doctor?"

"No, it's just I thought........ never mind."

"Tell me."

"I thought you were talking about my daughter."

"Really? I wouldn't expect that to be honest with you."

"Why in Earth would you say that?"

"Well all I have to say is I like you and I would approve."

"Thank you I appreciate that. But Mai has no interest I believe. In fact, she fixed this up. But she's been acting weird lately."

"I've noticed too. Her sleep pattern is off and she brought you breakfast. I thought she was into it."

"In her mind, no man is worth her time at the moment. I know what she deserves and it's not me. I'm just a broken ex jock living check to check. She deserves more."

"What do you mean more Marik."

"Good family and I don't have one. Very intelligent and I have a hard time doing high C's low B's. Very beautiful and I know I'm not on top if the scale. I got no shot."

The room got quiet.

"Well if you one day convince her as long as you respect her, I will hand her over. Until then enjoy your date and the leaving early offer still stands."

"My pleasure. Thank you, Doctor. But no worries. Head is up high. Marik Iwakuma coming in hot."

The room needed a little more cleansing and labeling. Then just a good wipe down head to toe and it was good to go. He puts on a mask and grabs a spray bottle and paper towels. Then with the sticker gun can print labels over the bins. He exits the room and tosses the gloves and mask. He's two hours early. He goes over to Dr. Tanaka in his office.

"Doctor do you have a moment?"

He looks to his patient. "Take five to rest and I will be right back."

He looks at the closet space. Walls free of dust, mopped floor, containers wiped down, and everything well labeled.

"You are taking this very seriously. Two hours to spare too. I didn't hope for half of what I got Marik."

"Thank you sir."

"Tell you what. You can go ahead and punch. I'll pay you those two hours I promised. You enjoy yourself tonight. And I'm talking to my daughter about the heck of a guy best friend she has."

"Thank you, Dr. Tanaka. I'll see you soon."

"Take care and enjoy your date kid."

He shakes hands and punches out. Then when exits the building calls Haru.

< Hello? >

< Hey Haru. >

< What's going on Sweetie? >

< I'm out two hours early. >

< Yay. Come be with me. >

< Text me the address and I'm there. >

< Okay see you soon. > And click.

~~~~~

After a quick knock it was a quick answer. She was so excited that he was there.

"Oh my God you're here." Haru jumps into his arms with a hug.

He catches her. "Easy. I'm early."

"We have more time before dinner then. Let's cuddle."

"Sure. Whoa."

She took his hand and pulled him into the living room. Her mother was sitting down.

"Haru who's our guest?" She asked.

"I'm Marik Iwakuma. Nice to meet you." He awkwardly waved and smiled. Kuma had no idea what he was getting into.

"I'm Kaidae. So, you'll be joining us tonight?"

"Yes. Thank you for having me."

"She's right you are cute." Smiled Kaidae.

He blushed. "Thanks."

"I hear you're a working man."

"Two jobs to make rent. One as a doctor's assistant and the other general construction labor."

"You live alone boy?"

"Yes I do."

"Uhhh, sore subject. Anyways Mom me and Marik are going to study. We'll see you soon."

"Okay. See you at dinner." Haru takes him by the hand again and go upstairs. Kaidae shakes her head smiling. "Maybe this one will stick around. Shall be interesting."

Haru opens her door to a room a little on the girly side. A giant fluffy bed some stuffed animals, and pictures of memories hung on the pink walls. She jumps on the bed and pats down on it. "Pick a side Kuma."

Good Lord this is forward. She wouldn't try to seduce me, right? Right?

"Uhhh, Right I guess?" He picked it because it was closer to the floor. While the other side was window. Kuma sits down as Haru softly tackles him.

"Hey."

"You're so comfy."

"Thanks. First time I've heard that."

"Mai hasn't said that to you?"

"Where's this coming from?"

"I know she's close to you. You shared a bed once right?"

"Huh?"

"When you got hurt."

"Not like that."

"Did you grope each other?"

"I know my place. Hell no."

"Kiss?"

"I-I never had one."

"Never?"

"I never been kissed by a girl. Okay?" Kuma was in his fragile mind now. In a good way. Nothing about bad memories.

"A boy?" She teased to make a joke.

"No! I'm straight as a line thank you."

"So the cute, speedy jock Marik Iwakuma who once could land many girls has never been kissed by one?"

"I had two girlfriends setup by my teammates, but it was just conversation. Nothing more."

"You wouldn't lie, would you?"

"I can't lie to you and the girls. Haven't you figured that out?"

"Kinda."

"It's been a bit crazy meeting all of you. I regret nothing."

"Really? Nothing?"

"Maybe besides that one hard slap from Mai."

"You we're being bad." She slapped his butt.

He covered his behind. "Whoa! Aye! Hands off merchandise."

"Bad boys need spankings." She giggled.

"Got that part. But still."

She pushes him down and lays on top of him. "Now I need you to talk."

"About what?"

"Do you like her?"

"Huh?"

"Do you have feelings for Mai?"

"Where is this coming from?"

"Honey it's hard to open up to a guy who likes someone else. You player you." Haru winked at him.

"Player? I would never."

"Ball player."

"I quit."

"Still in shape for it. Muscle is toned nicely." She rubs his bicep.

"Thanks." He blushed.

"You are just so cute when you get flustered. Tell you what. I'll confess."

"Confess what?"

"We think Mai likes you. But she is too damn stubborn to see it."

"Her liking me? Wouldn't a girl who likes a guy be more affectionate? Kind of like you. You hug more, flirt, and sort of thing."

"She's a rough and tough rock with a diamond inside."

"I know that. Ironically her dad and I Dr. Tanaka had this conversation before I left. Apparently giving me permission."

"He did? He must see it too."

"I told him that she's out of my league and it didn't raise him an eyebrow. He didn't care. I guess when you live alone and work well you have that respect. I do like her. Truly I do. But what am I to make of it? Do I wait on her?"

"Guess so. I have an idea though. Let's pretend to be a couple."

"What?"

"You and me. Pretend boyfriend and girlfriend. Only around Mai."

"How do you expect me to do that?"

"Kiss my cheek and I cling to and do things like this."

"And you're good by this?"

"Not trying to take what's not mine. But you're on my radar."

"Okay... and Aiko and Gen would be on board with this?"

"I'll text them and let them know ahead of time. I give it a few days. I think she'll crack."

"If you say so."

Then Haru starts to have the wheels turn inside of her mind. "Hmmm, how about effective immediately? Let's see what 'Miss Tanaka' is doing tonight."

~~~~~

Dr. Tanaka walks in the door and smiles. "I, have arrived. And boy does today feel good."

His wife kisses him good evening. "How was work?"

"Great. Kuma really helped me today and right now he's on a date."

She gasped. "But, our daughter is home."

"I know. Marik even likes her too. He calls himself unworthy of her because she comes from a good family and has a solid mindset. To be frank I don't care about his family and whatever else. He's a good kid. And from Mai has told me gave him confidence. He's mature, graceful, and likes to do things the right way."

"I know Dear, but we should talk to Mai about it. She's been in her room since she's been home. Haven't heard a sound."

"Can you hang up my coat? I'll be back. Time to clock into job number one." He smiles with confidence and rubs his hands together. Marching up his stairs and with broad shoulders strides down the hallway. He knocked on the door and wanted an answer.

"Come in. I guess." Said a mopey voice.

He opens the door and she's lying in bed with the covers over her.

"Evening."

"Hi." She covers her face with a pillow.

"Why so glum? Tired? School? Maybe a boy?"

"Dad really?"

"What? Just speculation."

"It's not Marik."

"I didn't say it was."

"I don't like him."

"Never said that."

"Ugh what do you what? And why am I in a crap mood with chest pain?" Mai never poured out her emotions before. Though every person has a breaking point.

"Is it?"

"It's not a boy. It's not a guy. It's...it's not Marik." She started bursting out crying.

"Is it because he's on a date?"

"She's probably making out with him right now I'm just laying here."

"Give him a call. Trust me. A guy doesn't mind a call from a girl on a date like this."

"You sure Dad?"

"I had a talk with him. Let's say he has permission." He winked. "I got to see how your mother is doing. See you at dinner."

He walks out of the room as she puts the covers back over. She's just curled up in a ball and the wheels are turning in her head.

This time it really bothers me. All this time when I didn't feel right about him dating. It wasn't the girl hurting him. It was Kuma not being mine. That's why I'm upset and now I know.