It was dark one school night when Mai got the call. She was just changing into pajamas. "Who is trying to reach me at this time of night?" Caller ID said it was Marik. She accepts the call.

< Hello? >

< Hey Mai. >

< Hey Marik. Something wrong? >

< Crap what'd I do now? >

< Why are you calling me for at this time? >

< I wanted to ask a favor. >

< Geez. I'm afraid to ask. What is it? Please don't tell me it's another girl. >

< Actually it's work. Mr. Choo wants me in the morning and work a whole day until a little after school gets out. Trying to save up for winter. >

< Oh boy. I had to say it. And what do you want from me? >

< Just get my makeup work that's all. Please? >

< Please? Ooooooo I get a please. Tell you what Kuma. Go to work and I'll get your stuff. Just come over to Aiko's when you're done. And clean if you can. >

< I'll change then. No promises on the last one. >

< Deal. Goodnight Kuma. >

< Bye Mai. >

~~~~~

The girls met next morning. The wind was cold as they all ran in. Ready to say hello and give everyone news.

"Hope he's alright." Sighed Mai.

"Where's Kuma?" Asked Gen.

"Working actually." Mai replied.

"He going to be okay? It's cold out there." Put in Aiko.

"He can manage I'm sure. I mean he does this for a living right?" Haru brightened the mood.

"You know girls, we're the only people in his life right now. We do more than you think." Said Mai.

"You know, you're right." Agreed Gen.

"And he's grateful for everything too. Can't wait until we see him tonight. He's surely got his hands full." Aiko thought.

-Meanwhile-

The wind was fierce, and dust blew over the job site. Kuma had an industrial coat and a ski mask covering his face. Dust got in his eyes occasionally but not wind burn. Noise echoed as he delivered wood to the builders. One thing about houses was they were built no matter what weather conditions. As Kuma was soon finding out.

Wow today is brutal. No wonder why he needed a hand. He thought as he covered his eyes from dust blowing.

"This is a bad windy day kid." Said Mr. Choo to Kuma.

"Is always this bad sir?"

"Not usually Marik. But the work must go on."

"Yes sir." He nodded.

He continued on helping the builders because the wind currents were less strong behind the house frame. It didn't last long but anything helped. It was near fifteen degrees Fahrenheit. The builders were around 35. The temperatures were still cold but an amazing difference early morning.

But then it came down to mixing concrete. Anything water related below freezing temperature made it things difficult. Also if your hands get wet. Poor Kuma had to pour water in small amounts and mix with his gloves off while the men just use the mix to fill holes. By the time he was done they were having a late lunch. And for Kuma's sake his fingers were borderline icicles and they were eating indoors.

Kuma didn't get to conversate much with the guys. He was the youngest there and didn't talk too much punching the clock. But he learned they were loud, sarcastic, and swore like truck drivers.

"Hey Marik, you off school today?" Said Yu one of the builders.

"Took it off. Got to work." He replied.

"I like it kid. Any ladies?" Asked Mr. Choo.

"Almost. Had one date and next day say her making out with another dude. Called it off."

"Kid the chicks will come. And if you learn a few tricks you can have a new one every week if you felt like it." Said the builder.

"Knock it off Yu. You're such a dog. My company doesn't need another harem leader." Replied Mr. Choo.

"Harem?" Gasped Kuma.

Aki a mason joined in the talk. "Multiple women kid. It could be three it could be ten. Complicated but I don't think you can get bored."

"Doubtful. But I'd be happy with one."

"Kid that's the first thing you said right today. Haha. Cheers fellas." Smiled Mr. Choo.

~~~~~

A few hours later Kuma was done for the day. He quickly ran warm to keep warm and save time. The breeze was so strong after work and the run home he had a red line on the top of his cheeks. It looked like face sunburn, or he was blushing. He looked in the mirror annoyed and dialed up Mai.

< Hello? >

< Hey Mai. >

< Hey Kuma. Spill it, where are you? >

< Damn. So forward. >

< It's getting late. When are you coming? >

< I'm getting changed and heading over. A few minutes. >

< Good boy! Hurry up. > Mai happily hung up. "Girls, Kuma is on his way over. Sounds like he had a long day."

"Well it's construction." Said Gen.

"Which explains a few things." Laughed Haru.

"But we're his friends. We need to help him get through this stuff. Like maybe protect him from certain girls and help him with studies." Proposed Aiko.

"Girls? I told you. I don't think he's ready. Especially after the last one." Replied Mai.

The door opened. "Girls? Is the boy swinging by?" Asked Momo.

"Yeah Mom. He's on his way."

"Good. It'll be nice to see him again. Besides he could add to the table tonight. Your father is stuck in a meeting tonight Aiko."

"Okay. Talk to you then."

"Alright now." Momo shut the door and went on her way.

"Crap what's my mom going to say?" Worried Aiko.

"Guess we'll find out." Sighed Mai.

And a few minutes pass and Kuma knocked on the door. He went straight there. Not too dirty and it was late in the day. Best to just not spend any more time.

Momo answered the door. "Can I help you?" She asked not knowing who was in the super heavy coat and mask.

"Hello Momo. It's me Kuma. It's cold out there so I'm in heavy gear."

"My goodness why so thick?"

"When you work outside and it's fifteen degrees Fahrenheit you pull out the big guns. Got a good wind burn though."

"The girls are waiting for you. Right this way."

Kuma hangs up his big coat and walks to Aiko's room. He is happy to sit down for a bit in good company.

"Kuma!" The girls called.

"Now girls make sure he gets the help. And give him a blanket since he's frozen to the bone." Suggested Momo.

"Yes ma'am." They said.

Haru threw him a blanket and Gen passed over a cup of tea.

"Thanks." He smiled.

"Excuse me?" Huffed Mai.

He took a sip of tea. "Mai can you come here for a hug?"

"I didn't give you permission to touch me."

"Just as a thanks. Please?"

"Fine. Careful with those hands or I'll slap you."

Kuma blushed. And it wasn't noticeable. "Haha. C'mon don't I know better?"

"I debate that. Anyways here's your homework and we even have notes for you." She passed over the papers. "Get to it and dinner is ready soon. If you need help Haru is next to you."

"What about you?" He asked.

"I am doing my nails tonight. I'm about a week overdo." She replied.

"Who you impressing?" He asked.

"Ha! Please. You know I do these for me and me alone."

"Yeah, good point. Sorry I asked woman..."

"Miss. Tanaka!" She barked.

"Sorry Miss Tanaka. You're beautiful and hope they come out well." He replied nervously.

"Awww poor kiss ass." Giggled Gen.

~~~~~

Kuma was halfway done through his studies when Momo called everyone to the big table. Momo sat on the edge, and right all the way down Kuma, Aiko, Haru. As the left side followed Mai and then Gen.

"I've heard you had a long day." Said Momo to Kuma.

"Yeah. Trying to save up for winter."

"Something special?" Momo concerned.

"Would be nice. But bills mostly."

"I see. Any girl you need to take care of?"

"Not at the moment. But I hope the girls here are doing well. They're all I have I think."

"Awww that's sweet." Said Aiko blushing a bit.

Momo started being blunt. "What's your experience?"

"Huh?"

"You of course at your age check us out, had girlfriends, and that sort correct?"

"Ummm, yes." He almost choked.

"So why haven't you tried to come onto my daughter and have her way with her?" She smiled.

"Excuse me?" Shocked Kuma.

"Mom!" Aiko freaked.

"What? You're at the age. I want grandkids. It all works out right?" She replied.

"That's not how it works." Kuma started to sweat.

"So have one for Mai?"

"Not even in his dreams." Mai replied putting down her chopsticks.

"Pity. Just to let you know though. That offer if good by her still stands." Momo grinned.

"Sure. Great..."

"Kuma's a gigalo?" Asked Haru.

"More like harem leader." Poked Gen.

"Please spare me. I hate harems." Said Mai.

"Ugh. That word. They were talking about that at work. I think I would be lucky with one. Anything else I'd be not only undeserving but couldn't do it."

"Harems at work?" Gasped Aiko.

"The guys I work with are pigs."

"I'd fake be a harem girl if it was to get you out of a bad date." Laughed Aiko.

"Although I'd rather you have her and just her." Said Momo.

"Mother! I doubt he's ready for a woman." Blushed Aiko.

"Sorry daughter. But if you two were together a while he could live here. That way he could focus on school and be warmer."

"I couldn't date just because of an offer like that. It's unmoral." Said Kuma.

"Oh honestly. You people are killing my insides. Although Marik I give you credit for not being stupid. I said to treat women right." Mai glared at him.

"I got that part. Like I said. I'm not a sleaze ball, pervert, pig of any sort."

"I got will that you would say this Kuma. I get that you went through some stuff. I know the cold is coming. But you have a good heart. You've separated yourself and we could feel you're in pain. But you can't just shut everyone out. When's the last time you talked to your teammates? Your classmates? Even your dad?" Preached Aiko.

"Teammates beginning of the year and they're upset I quit. Classmates I usually don't. My dad when I moved out. He laughed. He said, 'Oh don't you worry. I know you'll be back'. Yet, I'm here."

Mai just sat there sad. "And it's been months."

"But it's better that way. He'd probably hit the hell out of me if I saw him."

"He's abusive?" They all gasped.

"Thought I mentioned that. It was probably to just Mai though."

"I don't remember that. At all." Annoyed Mai.

"There is, more but not sure if it's a good time."

"Nonsense boy. We're about done. Speak." Insisted Momo.

"Well when I was ten my mother was diagnosed with illness. My father did get her to treatment. But we had a five-year window to watch to make sure nothing came back. I'm afraid it did, and my father was too thick headed to understand. Sure enough, the cancer came back and took her life. With my mother gone and my dad upset he got angry and depressed. Consider me the punching bag."

Everyone was silent. No one could find the words.

"Then one day I got a huge smack across my face and he said some things. I forgot exactly what he said but I had to move on no matter how hard the economy would be. I may be poor, I might not have baseball, and I may have shut everyone out because of fear and everything that spiraled down the last few months which everything has happened. But not seeing that man and being in the same air as he is a luxury you can't buy."

Aiko reached over and gave him a hug. Momo and the girls did too.

"What's all this?" He asked confused.

"We won't let anything ever happen to you." Said Haru.

"You are welcome here anytime." Said Momo.

"You're loved silly." Said Gen.

"Marik I hope you remember all this. We sure will. I'll hold you to it." Said Mai.

"So, who gives the best hugs?" Asked Aiko.

"Ummm..." He shut his eyes.

"Oh come on. Do you have to put into a contest?" Complained Haru.

"Yeah Aiko you and Mai could easily seduce a guy with those." Agreed Gen.

"Well Mai is bigger, but I get your point." Laughed Aiko.

"It's technique and affection. It's not always in the bust." Retorted Mai.

"And your what size Mai?" Asked Kuma.

"36DD."

"Shut up." Ordered Haru.

"I'm kind of with Gen and Haru here. Haha."

"Fair enough Marik. But I do both." She wrapped herself around him and his blush was shown through the wind burn.

"She wins again." Sighed Gen.

"Well ladies and one gentleman you should get back to your studies. Especially you Mr. Iwakuma. You are a day behind." Said Momo

"Yes ma'am." They said and hurried off.

And doing so Kuma hit the books and hit them hard. He has history his last subject completed around the time he started getting ready for bed. Aiko waved goodbye to her friends and they walked off.

"It's freezing." Gen complained obviously.

"Trying. Working in it." Chuckled Kuma.

"How?" Asked Gen.

"That I can't explain. I just do it. Not sure what purpose it serves sometimes."

"Interesting." Said Mai with evil intent in her voice.

It was then quiet as the group one by one separated to their homes. It was late as Kuma laid on his bed starring at the ceiling. You had a hard day so get some rest. But he simply couldn't. His head wasn't it the right place. "I've never told anyone about my parents with those details. Why do I feel so weird?"

He continued to stare at the ceiling. And to keep himself occupied he played catch with himself. He took a baseball by his bed and softly threw it up to the ceiling. Nothing could keep get him to sleep.

"I knew you'd be up." Said a voice.

Kuma got up out of bed when he heard. "Wait I know that voice. Hello?" He popped his head up.

"It's me smart one." Said the voice.

Kuma turned around and saw in his vision a ghost version of Mai.

"Ahhh, what the hell!?"

"Easy up. It's late." She giggled.

"What the hell are you? A ghost?"

"No Kuma. It's me. A part of me spiritually sent over to you. Just don't mention it word of mouth. She's not supposed to talk about it directly."

"Okay. What's up?"

"Lay down and shut up."

"Sure." He does so swiftly.

Spirit Mai lays down and spoons him. It shivers his spine a little. Watching him adjust to something he had only seen in films.

"I guess I'm not dreaming."

She gives him a little smack on the chest. "Nope."

"Alright, goodnight Mai."

"Night Kuma."

~~~~~

As he woke up the next morning no surprise she wasn't there. He rushed to school to find her in the courtyard. "Mai I just wanted to..." He tried to speak but Mai pressed her finger against his lips.

"You are welcome." She said in her husky voice. Just winked and walked away.

"Wow. She's quite the woman. I'm starting to see what the other guys see. Not completely though."

The girls overheard. "What was that?"

"Oh nothing." He flinched.

"Hmph." Huffed Haru.

"What'd I say?"

"Care to fill us in?" Asked Gen.

"She's beautiful and sweet like the rest of you. But I know I'm in the friend zone. Don't mind being there either."

"Umm sure. You could put it that way." Said Haru.

The school day was hard for Kuma giving the hand he had to play yesterday. But he walked quickly home and changed for work.

He went to work to receive bad news. "I'm sorry Marik but I don't have anything for you today. I feel bad because you came early too. Try tomorrow." Said Mr. Choo.

Disappointed Kuma walked over to the cafe close by. He thought he might as well slow done a bit and call his friends some time. But then a girl was in line in front of him. Her hair black but dyed blonde, big brown eyes, and a curvy but petite body. She was ¥100 short and searching her purse like a mad woman.

"Tell you what. Medium black tea added on to that and I got it."

"You sure?" She asked.

"Positive."

"You're so sweet. You sticking around?" She asked.

"Yes I am."

"Care to join me?" She offered.

"Sure thing."

Kuma paid for the teas and they sat down across from each other at a high table intended for two.

"I'm Eri. What's your name?"

"Marik. But everyone calls me Kuma."

"I like that. That a jock thing?"

"Ya I had to stop to work though."

"You work a lot?"

"I live on my own so depending on how busy work gets. Anywhere from four to seven days depending how I feel too. If I work seven, I'll try to go two days off afterwards."

"On your own huh? What work do you do?"

"I live help out with construction. General labor really."

"And work with your hands. That's hot actually."

"Really?"

"Oh my God yes. It's just nice having a hard worker. It explains a few things and they have good traits."

The conversation continued. They talked a little about music, art, school life and the sort. But then there was trouble. A few girls just happen to catch eye of him.

"Kuma?" Gasped Mai.

"Mai? Oh, hey girls what's going on?" Asked Kuma a little surprised.

"I should be asking you that." She replied.

"I was thinking maybe some shopping and maybe sometime go back to your house and 'study' some stuff." Proposed Eri.

"Sorry, but never." Said Mai.

"And exactly who the hell are you girls?" Asked Eri.

"I'm his best friend." Said Mai.

"Wife." Said Aiko.

"Girlfriend." Said Gen.

"Toy." Giggled Haru.

"Say what now?" Crap.

"A harem or something? Sorry Darling but I don't compete. Thanks for the tea though. I'll see you around." Said Eri and walked out.

"Good job girls." Said Aiko.

"What was that for?" Asked Kuma.

"We had to my 'Darling' Kuma." Said Mai.

"What were you doing with her?" Asked Haru.

"I got sent home and came here to pick up some tea. She was ¥100 short; I paid the difference and she joined me. What was wrong with Eri? I had the conversation going for about a few minutes. You stomped on that parade in a few seconds."

"She's a slut." Said Gen bluntly.

"Really?" He was amazed.

"She was at our school last year and she transferred. Did she make you feel all warm, agree with everything you say, and want you to shop with her?" Asked Mai.

"Yes, yes, and yes."

"That witch is evil putting boys under her spell. She's got a reputation for getting what she wants and leaving them. Whether it's clothes, a hook up, or whatever. Explained Aiko.

"Well I tapped out at ¥100. No complaints."

"You sure you aren't the same shy guy I just got to know? You seem to have no problem talking to girls." Angered Mai.

"Well my friends are four girls. That a problem?"

The girls got silent a moment.

"Point made but you know what she means." Smiled Haru.

"Great. Now let's get out of here. I've already had another crap date at a cafe."

Mai lightly smacked him.

"Ouch. Mai what was that for?"

"Think next time."

"Yes ma'am."