The Fallen War

Episode 18: Maiku's Mission: Make Josh Like Me!

The battle royale was over. The island test had left everyone exhausted, but Josh’s victory against Maiku had a different kind of impact on her. Maiku couldn’t shake the memory of that fight—the way Josh moved, how he outsmarted her, how he pinned her to the wall like she was just another obstacle in his path. She hated how much she *loved* it.

Now, standing in the academy courtyard, Maiku was on a mission. Not just any mission—this was a personal, life-changing, make-or-break mission. She, Maiku Muki, was going to make Josh Fale *like* her. No. Not just *like* her. She was going to make him *fall in love* with her. The problem?

Josh was *stupidly* dense.

Maiku gritted her teeth as she remembered how he barely noticed her in their fights, and when he did, it was like she was some pesky obstacle rather than a potential girlfriend. But today, that was going to change.

---

**The Plan Begins**

“Alright,” Maiku whispered to herself, watching Josh from a distance. He was leaning against a tree, calmly sipping from his water bottle, completely oblivious to the world around him.

“Step one: Get his attention,” Maiku muttered.

She took a deep breath and strutted over, tossing her hair dramatically, making sure to put on her best “cool and confident” face. She stopped right in front of him, hands on her hips.

“Hey, Josh,” she said, trying to sound casual, but the determination in her voice made her sound like she was about to challenge him to another duel.

Josh glanced up at her, blinking slowly. “Oh, hey Maiku,” he said, his voice as calm as ever.

Maiku’s heart skipped a beat. He remembered her name! This was progress! She cleared her throat and struck a pose, leaning one arm against the tree just above his shoulder, trying to look… alluring?

“So,” she began, trying to sound flirtatious, “you’ve been, uh, thinking about me?”

Josh blinked again, clearly confused. “Uh… no, not really.”

Maiku felt like she’d just been hit with a sniper shot. She straightened up immediately, her face flushed.

“O-oh. Okay, cool. Cool, cool, cool.”

Josh just nodded and went back to sipping his water.

---

**Attempt 2: The Classic Lunch Date**

Maiku wasn’t going to give up. She quickly shifted gears. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right? That’s what all those rom-com novels said! She had read enough to know exactly what to do.

She hurried to the academy cafeteria, quickly gathering everything she could find—sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and desserts—and carefully arranged it all into a neat picnic setup under a shady tree. Josh was nearby, probably thinking about his next training session or something equally boring, but Maiku knew how to distract him.

“Josh!” she called out, waving at him. “Come here for a second!”

Josh looked over, mildly curious, and wandered over to where Maiku had set up the food. He glanced at the spread, then at her.

“What’s all this?” he asked, clearly puzzled.

Maiku flashed him her best smile. “I made us lunch! You know, as a way of… celebrating our, uh, intense fight? I thought we could, you know, hang out a little.”

Josh stared at the food, then back at Maiku, his brow furrowing. “But I just ate.”

Maiku felt her eye twitch.