Dr. Tanaka was closing up shop. It was a rainy day as Kuma didn't have practice. Instead of staying home he went to his practice and cleaned up, so it was ready for Monday morning.

"Let's go Marik. My wife has dinner waiting. By the time I park it will be right out of the pot. She makes a fine miso."

"Sure thing." He nodded and walked out, so he watched him lock the door.

Tanaka locked his office and looked outside the suite window. "The rain stopped. I take it that the field is messy today?" He asked.

"All mud at the moment."

On the drive home Kuma looked out the car window. The rain had stopped, and all the sky left were dark gray clouds. Looking outside he was disappointed he didn't get to play ball. Though was looking forward to having a nice sit-down dinner with Mai, Mr. Tanaka, and the lady of the house Mrs. Tanaka. The bright eyes, the flowing hair, and that smile is what the night called for.

Going in the house he held the door open for Mr. Tanaka as the whole house smelled good. Mai changed into shorts and a tank top while doing homework and her mother poured bowls for everyone. It was warm as both men took off the shoes and hung their coats.

"Evening you two." Greeted Mrs. Tanaka.

"Evening." They both nodded taking a seat. First sip of the soup warmed the body from that cold rain.

"Working hard?" Asked Mrs. Tanaka.

"Technically breaking for a meal and working some more." Laughed Kuma. "Little homework needing to be done."

"Define a little Kuma." Asked Mai.

"Well Miss. Tanaka I have one essay due Tuesday next week then two subjects." He winked at her.

"It's a shame weather hasn't been great Marik. You've barely been able to break in that new glove of yours." Said Mrs. Tanaka.

"Oh well. A change pace isn't bad. Easier shower and all. Not a long night either. Should go smoothly. Though grades have never been this good while playing ball. Curved it, say ten points each?"

Mr. Tanaka smiled. "That's significant."

"You going to have time tonight?" Asked Mai.

"You have the shower first. I'm not going in until I'm satisfied with my work." He replied.

His boss was impressed. "Tell me Marik what was your work ethic before any of this, a month or so ago, and now?"

Kuma smiled. "Panic and only have running away your option. Then the same thing but less feeling like everything will crash on top of you. And now no stress. Mr. Tanaka. I thank everyone here every day. Wasn't long ago when I regularly skipped meals, went to pantries, and worried mostly on paying rent. If I could barely pass, work serious labor, and somehow get buy than I can play baseball and do an essay in the same night depending away games."

"Away games mean different things, don't they?" Asked Mrs. Tanaka.

"Adjusting with study halls, work on the way to the trip, or late night. Haha."

"Well if you two do get into a harsh studying session I can lift the curfew a little. Just please ask first." Offered Mr. Tanaka.

"Yes sir. Thank you."

"Thanks Dad." Smiled Mai.

~~~~~

A few hours have passed. It was getting late. Even after a shower Marik Iwakuma still found himself in his pajamas and damp hair at his desk. Homework did count for that twenty percent of his grade, but he never studied this hard. Mai took a peek in his room and knocked on the door frame.

"Thought you were done before you showered? Just a review?" She asked.

"Well in what seems like a long time is success and reward. I'm not asking for a lollipop or anything. It's just everything from my hard work is going well. Thought I would see how it goes with the extra distance."

"Kuma I've seen you study before. You've been here now for about a month. Never seen you study this hard. What's going on?" Mai knew him the best out of everyone. No use trying to decline anything.

"Well outside of the welcoming present of a new glove from your father I've had some recent success."

She crossed her arms. "Really?"

"Mai if you look at my grades this term, I average an 85. The highest it's ever been. And you want to know what I found out that I'm not supposed to tell anyone?"

"I'm all ears for this."

"Coach guaranteed my spot. I'm a starting player. Got my position and everything."

"Baby." She hugged behind him. "That's great. Though don't overwork yourself. Don't want to use my gift if I don't have to."

"Gotcha. I'm not sore so I will be fine."

"Fine?" She turned his face at him and glared. "What does 'fine' mean?"

Uh-oh. "Uhhh, don't worry?" He asked.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "You know better than to lie to me Baby. That's one thing you haven't learned yet of all things?"

"I know no matter how hard I study you will be the smart one in our relationship. Actually, not only can most boys not keep up with you, but you can keep up in any category. You run fast, have above average strength, and can own anyone most topics of conversation. And the fact someone up front tries to piss you off. I'm not dumb. I knew better a long time."

Mai was playing along but wanted the straight answer she was looking for. "Let's speed this up." In doing so she was going to find one way she couldn't get ignored or lied to. Sitting on his lap and facing. He blushed brightly and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "So my Shortstop, what's wrong?"

"Uhhh... wrong?"

She smirked. Then went to play the innocent yet intimidating partner. "You're hiding something."

"What exactly?"

"Is it a woman?" She stared into his eyes.

"What?"

"Who is she and why is she hurting my lover?"

"Mai uhhh..."

She giggled. "I'm kidding." Then back to a normal tone. "Seriously where's it hurt? Don't piss me off." She put a hand on his chest. Then moved down.

"Mai, you're..." Kuma looked at the door open.

"Oh don't be a pervert. Both of them are in it's before curfew." She playfully smacked his chest.

"Hey." He reacted to the slap.

"We playing this game?"

"Fine. Left spline before the hip." He finely went out with it.

"Finally. Thank you." She moved her hand over and slightly lifted up his shirt. Rubbing her hand over the area and feeling a slight tightness. "Fine huh?" For the first time in a long time that hand shined a light blue as Kuma gazed into the light like a mosquito going to a bug zapper. He was aware of some of the things his gifted girlfriend has done but this was the first time he saw her do it in front of him. Motionless and his heart racing the blue light faded and she brought him in for a hug. "I love you. Easy up. I don't bite Baby."

Slow to react he wrapped his arms in a hug. "I love you too."

"I trust you more than you think. I've never showed anyone that. No one. Only my mother. My father doesn't know, and the girls have never seen me do these things."

"You have my everything. I owe you that."

"Sweetheart you owe me nothing. I know I can be a bitch, yet I care about you. Give you my all. I'm proud of you and I couldn't picture a better boyfriend who mentally can be on the same level."

"And I couldn't imagine one that would be okay with everything going on. Powers are not you're truly an angel Mai."

Oh Marik. If only you realized what a woman thinks and knows what she has and what else is in front of her. "Thanks. We should rest. Night sweet boy." She kissed his forehead and got off of his lap. Walking out and into her room she knew it would be hard to get rest. Right next door is my love. At first, I thought I was just doing a good thing. Haru could have been a great choice for him. Aiko wouldn't have been bad either. But here we are, and we have a future together. And how we are evenly bettering each other is even better. From trying to watch it burn to the ground to soaring to heavens. A new challenge will present itself soon for one of us. But we're here. First time for everything.