Life as a Game ~Hiro x Reader~

~Chapter 12~

It took a while but (Y/n) released her grudge against the gang, accepting their apology the moment they surrounded her. Honey Lemon was in hysterics and (Y/n) would have felt guilty if she didn't forgive.

The gang, Hiro and her had spent the day going around their beloved city, introducing her to S.F.I.T. The building at first glance was enough to make her squeal and gasp. The glass reflection sparkling from the sun seemed to make the campus look as if it were made of glittering jewels and diamonds in her opinion but Hiro only laughed at her fantasy like imagination.

"Come on (N/n)!" Fred giggled, pushing the girl through a glass door that led to a lab. Every corner was filled with the murmur and life of machines that (Y/n) had never seen. "This is what Hiro calls, "the Nerd Lab"." He explained, causing (Y/n) to giggle.

"I figured you would call this something as cheesy as that." (Y/n) poked Hiro's cheek before taking a glance at a chemistry table.

"Oh! This is my station! I haven't got any current projects but I have managed to successfully create a substance that allows tungsten carbide to dissolve into dust." Honey Lemon set up some vials and handed a pair of goggles to (Y/n). "You're smart no? Graduating soon right? At least that's what Hiro told us- so... I challenge you to create a chemical energy source!"

(Y/n) smiled at Hiro, "You told them that?". Hiro went red before nodding. She laughed as she cracked her knuckles, pulled out a set of gloves and sat at the stool. "This is eighth grade science!" within minutes, she had gathered natural and manmade elements to create- "Gasoline! A petroleum-derived liquid substance that has the primary use of fuel for internal combustion engines!" Wasabi's eyes widened.

"Gasoline?! Isn't that...explosive!?" he cowered behind Fred for shelter as Honey Lemon clapped her hands and disposed of the substance.

"Clever! She is sure a smart cookie but we will be careful." She replied before packing up her kit.

"So... what do you guys do?" (Y/n) turned to the rest of her friends.

"Well Gogo is working on a bike with electromagnetic suspension, maglev for short, Wasabi is doing stuff with  laser induced plasma and Hiro has this challenge of creating a survival kit compact into a robot...I just sit over there and read, sleep and eat." Fred explained.

"A robot huh?" (Y/n) folded her arms and smile at Hiro. "Like Baymax?" Hiro shook his head.
"No, Baymax is a healthcare companion, I mean like if you are lost in the wilderness or a natural disaster occurs, this robot would know the basic skills for survival."

(Y/n) nodded her head as she nudged him with her elbow. "Following in Tadashi's footsteps eh? I'm sure he goes crazy about taking the right path." She didn't notice the gang's stiffened looks nor the atmosphere's change but she felt different. She felt drawn to Hiro, behind the masked smile... She felt different. "You...okay?" she asked slowly.

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine! So um anyways-" (Y/n) placed a hand on Hiro's shoulder.

"There is something you aren't telling me..." She knew it deep down and whatever it was had to come out sooner or later.

"I'm fine (Y/n)." Hiro said agitated. (Y/n) frowned at his response and opened her mouth to retaliate but found GoGo place her hand on her shoulder. Hiro pretended to check his phone before sighing heavily. "It's getting late, we better get home for lunch, and we promised Aunt Cass we'd be back ten minutes ago."

So that's how the girl found herself questioning her best friend on the quiet journey home. He stared straight ahead and didn't acknowledge her presence once. It was as if she weren't there. And it hurt. "Hiro?" (Y/n) called out to what she felt like the wind, her voice being carried away. She didn't try communicating with him the rest of the way back. An odd presence told her to back off so with nothing but that as a guide, she followed.