"A what? How's that possible? I mean do you fly or what do you do?" He was confused and shocked.

"I'm a person with a God given gift. Literally. Overnight. But there is a catch. I saved you a hospital trip, so you don't shut me out or anyone else. Strive to be the guy everyone loved a few months ago." She smiled.

"Deal." He smiled back.

"I don't think I gave you any choices." She smirked. "Now you have a bathroom a lady can change in, right? It's bad enough you've already seen me in my underwear. Thanks for not being a pervert about it."

"Yeah... Sure." He blushed. "Right over there."

He watches her go into the bathroom realizing he needs to clean up himself. When the moment hits him, he gets into a fresh school uniform. While buttoning his shirt Mai comes out.

"We can still have breakfast and the walk to school. Mind if I join you?"

"Cool..."

"Oh, and if I hear you bragging about you seeing me in my underwear I will find you and slap you until your face turns blue like the tips of my hair." She scolded.

"Or those beautiful eyes." He gazed.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." He lied with little composure.

"Okay then. Lead the way. We can eat halfway or so."

After buying crepes along the way they reach the school grounds many students stare. Neither of them had a single clue that they would get a crowd reaction. Their thoughts were heard throughout.

"Yo, what's that quiet dude with an outgoing chick like her?"

"What's he bribing with?"

"He's pimping those blue eyes. It just ain't fair."

"Why can't that guy be me?"

Well I guess when you walk a cute girl to school you get that sort of thing. Here the rumors begin. Thought Kuma.

They both walk into homeroom together. Mr. Aono was shocked. He stood up from his chair.

"Miss Tanaka are you teaching Mr. Iwakuma?" He pondered.

"Sort of." She giggled.

"Well so far it's working. Keep it up. Mind you though you have work ahead of you." He grinned.

"Geez, thanks a lot. I love the confidence you have in me." Sighed Kuma.

Everyone was so mad that the hottest girl in class walked in with a loner type. Even the girls weren't happy about it.

"Girl what are you doing with him? You can catch depression and smell weird." Said a classmate.

"Actually, his scent I find nice. And no, he's not my boyfriend, babe, or anything else. Although no one seems to like the poor guy." Mai blundered.

"Well he became weird. He stopped talking to everyone. He quit the team and cut all his ties." The girl replied.

"Sweetie you don't want me to begin what that guy right now is going through."

"Can you let a girl in on it?"

"That's on him. I'm not being responsible for that one. Good luck with that. I'm tough and I had a hard time getting through a gap in his mind." Mai smirked.

"Damn. You go girl."

Meanwhile on the other side the guys were annoyed.

"How'd you do it punk?"

"Ya lowlife."

"You don't deserve her."

"How much you pay her?"

Kuma was getting all flustered with the guys giving him the death glance until Mai walked over.

"Your problem boys?" She asked.

"Yeah. What did he do to you to have you spend time with him?" Asked a boy.

She hugged Kuma's face into her chest. The guys had their jaws drop as she wrapped her hands around his head that were resting on top of her bosoms.

"Marik Iwakuma is actually a nice guy. Now I'm not his girlfriend or any kind of sort. And no matter what I'm not on the market for a man. Thank you very much." She walked away and winked at Kuma. He blushed and the guys grumbled back to their desks. Mai winked at him as class began.

~~~~~

Once again Kuma was alone on the roof eating alone. Mai interrupted his peace and quiet. She smirked.

"You done it alright." He complained.

"What would that be? I've done a lot." She giggled.

"I have a target because I came in with you and from the hug."

"Do you want me to stop coddling you?" She asked.

"Ummm..." He stuttered.

"So you like me being kind? Well you do deserve it. Just don't be stupid for the time being."

"Stupid?"

"Yes. Do me a favor. Don't mess up. I kept you walking. Much less you getting to school and working for that imbecile."

"You mean Mr. Choo? He's alright." He tried to laugh it off.

"Alright? The man is the worst. He treats you like dirt. He's slime." She said with a huff.

"He pays me okay. That's all that matters." He put his hand on her shoulder.

She turned back around. "Money? Is that all you care about? I made sure you were safe last night. I didn't charge you."

He took a step back. "It's not everything but I need to get by. I've been showering cold and buying what's on sale at the market. It's not smoke and mirrors. And sometimes I don't have work and Mr. Choo sends me home. Money is tight. I don't need all the yen in the world. But a good solid pay day wouldn't hurt one bit. To relax my body for a while and maybe take myself to a nice meal."

"I see." She mumbled. "Well until then let's eat lunch and sorry I got you in trouble with the guys. Their reaction is priceless though."

"Some are sobbing." He added.

"Either they look at me as a nine or ten or they can't get over themselves." She said taking a bite.

"Well I personally can't blame them too much. I think it's a little of both."

"Please no more pick-up lines."

"What'd I say?" He was shocked.

"Just never mind. Shut up and eat."

"Sure thing Mai."

~~~~~

It was then after school. Mai and the girls were doing homework together at Aiko's house in her room. Finally a good safe place to speak freely. Particularly about what happened last night.

"So, you slept over at Kuma's?" Asked Aiko.

"It was late. I have nothing to do with him." Mai stated.

"Is he a pervert?" Asked Gen.

"Not at all actually. He kept his distance and all. Not trying to look or grab or anything. He's straight though that's easy to tell." She giggled.

Then Mai's phone rang.

< Hello? > She answered.

< Hey Mai. It's Kuma. You don't happen to know anyone that could use a hand anytime soon can you? >

< What happened? Shouldn't you be at work? > She asked concerned.

< Not enough work. He sent me home. > He said sadly.

< No way. What are you doing now? > She asked.

< I guess clean the house and do homework. What else? >

"Hey Mai. Invite him over." Whispered Aiko.

"You crazy?" She replied.

"I wanted to check on him. Text him my address." She winked at her.

< Umm hello? > She said Kuma through the phone."

< Say Kuma, can I text you Aiko's address and come study with us? > She proposed.

< Really? I don't know. > He replied with a little shy in his voice.

"I'm waiting." Screamed Haru in the background.

< Okay. See you as fast as I can. > He laughed.

~~~~~

Kuma rings the bell and Haru answers the door. "Why hello shy guy. Come to see me?"

"Oh. Hi Haru." He said slowly.

"Don't just stand there come in." Demanded Mai.

They head into Aiko's room and he busts out the books. He wanted to get right into business. Didn't want any personal problems asked and the girls already knew what they were in for.

"So Marik, what have you been up to?" Asked Gen.

"Call me Kuma. It's better that way. And honestly nothing."

"I highly doubt that." Said Mai flipping through a page.

"How would you know?" He asked.

"Hun don't get me started. Either drop it or tell the truth which would be easier." Grinned Mai.

"Alright then. Trying to get by. I won't say why or how it got this way. I'm just being straight forward." He said covering his face with his notes.

Haru crawled over to him. She hugged him into her chest and squeezed him a little bit. "Everything okay?" She asked.

"Fine." He mumbled underneath her boobs.

"Haru don't smother him." Giggled Aiko. "Mai did that in homeroom and the guys are so jealous of him. Kuma does it feel loving?"

"Haru's boobs are so soft. I could lay there and fall asleep." He said excited.

Mai yanked his cheek. "And I get crucified for doing that to you? What's your game? What are you up to?" She snapped.

"I just know my face hurts." He cried.

"Well a woman's breasts aren't playthings or in your case pillows. Be courtesy of one's spillage. Understood?"

"Yes Mai."

"I should make you say Miss Tanaka."

"Yes, I know. Sorry. After all what you did for me too. I hope you aren't too angry." He was scared now.

She smiled. "Just don't be stupid Iwakuma. Got that?"

"Cool."

"Alright then. Let's try to finish our subjects until Aiko tries to fix up dinner arrangements. It's curry night. You will be joining us, right?" Said Gen.

"Sure. Thank you very much." He smiled.

They attempted to finish as much as possible and share answers to speed it up. After just finishing up, dinner was served. Even Aiko's mother Momo joined the as well as everyone crowded the table. Everyone said, "Thank you for the food", and dug in.

"You're a new face." Said Momo. "Are you a boyfriend of one of the girls?"

"No ma'am. I'm Kuma. I was asked to stop by after being sent home from work. Thank you for having me." He replied.

"What do you do for work?" She asked.

"Manual labor. Construction under the table. I changed back before getting here. I wouldn't want to dirty the place." He smiled.

"Yeah. For that jerk." Butted in Mai.

"Hey, the Foreman pays me. Can't bite the hand that feeds you." Replied Kuma.

"Still he should treat you better. Not like the dirt he walks and spits tobacco on." She argued.

"That being said, what else do you do? Any sports, hobbies, girlfriend?" Asked Momo.

"None of the above. I just go to school, come home, and work. And when I get sent home because it's slow, I just clean the apartment. Can't go out anywhere."

"What's the situation at home?" She asked.

"Me, myself, and I." He said bluntly.

Everyone dropped their forks. Except Mai which was a given.

"Just you?" Momo gasped.

"Yup."

"Why?" Asked Haru.

"It's just how it goes. I'm not getting into it." He replied hesitant.

"Fine by us." Smiled Momo. "But if you need help us girls will be there for you."

"Thanks. I don't get that much. At all really." He said and stuffed his face.

"Well make sure to ask for help." Momo smiled.

It went by fast after that one with Mai trying to cleanse the air of the toxic subject. Somehow it worked. Even when dinner was over as Kuma packed his bag and stood by the door.

"Thanks for having me. I appreciate it." Smiled Kuma.

"Anytime honey. Hopefully we have you over again. Goodnight." Replied Momo.

"I'd love to. You are so kind to a guy like me. See everyone at school tomorrow. Goodnight."

Kuma waved goodbye and exited. Yup. It seemed to have worked. Mai limited the damage of feeding the dead horse.

The girls went back to Aiko's room. Momo was right behind them just to check up on things. She was curious. How could the boy not raise her concerns? "Aiko why didn't you tell me about this boy?" She asked.

"Mom. I just really met him last night walking him home. I met him because of Mai." Replied Aiko.

Momo smirked at Mai. "Any interests? I've known you for years. I know you don't go after boys unless they have some different about them."

Mai blushed. "I wanted to know why he's a loner and why he lives alone. Where his parents are and why he quit the team. I know his dad is alive. But why did he fall apart in a few months of time? Can't anyone tell he's broken?"

"His mother passed?" Asked Gen.

"If I remember correct not only that but he wants a restraining order against his father. I mean he got hit by a car at the time. He said stuff I know he would never repeat under normal circumstances." Worried Aiko.

"How's he walking?" Gasped Momo.

"Taken care of by yours truly." Winked Mai.

"You are quite a wonderful person for that. Least he can work and pay his rent. He'd get evicted by the time he fully recovered." Haru stuck her tongue out at her.

Mai sighed. "I know he deserves it, but I did it under conditions. He can't hide anymore. And his insecurities top ours. He's not a girl. Heck he has no history of girls really. I just want him to have his life back. Is that a bad thing?"

"Are you sure you don't have a thing for him?" Asked Aiko.

Mai turned red. "I doubt that. Why?"

Aiko giggled. "I think he would look hot cleaned up and with a little work."

"Hmm not wrong." Mai agreed.

"But if you don't like him, I know the perfect girl for him." Said Gen.

"Whoa! Put on the breaks. No way is he ready to be committed into someone." Suggested Mai.

"Oh, a date or two can't hurt." Argued Haru.

And it so it begins. Crap. He's not cut out for this. Thought Mai.

~~~~~

Tell me your honest thoughts.

-Rel