84 Times (Big Hero 6 Fanfiction)

Chapter 9: Holiday Break

        "Be safe during the holidays, and please make sure to dress warm. I do not want to see a classroom full of sick students after the break is over." Mr. Owari chuckled to himself, nodding slowly as the clamor of the students grew louder by the minute. 

After the two weeks had passed and Rose spent her time with the Hamada brothers, it was finally time to turn in their 'model projects'. It was to no surprise that Rose and Hiro won the contest for their outstandingly built and designed figure, but after the bell had rung that signaled the end of the day and the beginning of their break, Mr. Owari approached the two students with their model in his hands.

        "Now before I give you your prize for winning the contest... I just have one question about your model." He placed the figure down onto Hiro's desk as he spoke. 

        "And what would that be?" Rose asked, leaning against the side of Hiro's desk as he packed up his belongings. 

        "Well the question is actually for Mr. Hamada... What exactly is it you want to pursue in the future? I know Rosabella here has an interest in the pharmaceutical and health field as she had briefly mentioned it before... but I couldn't quite place what on the model represented your interest." 

Rose stepped to the side a bit to let Mr. Owari talk directly to Hiro. Of course she knew the answer to the older man's question, but she thought it would be more suitable if Hiro answered himself. 

She watched Hiro cautiously pick up the figure and point to the letters painted on the little shirt that the model wore. 

SFIT.

        "Oh! I see now. With my old eyes, it was difficult to notice such a small detail. So you'd like to attend the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology after you graduate from this school?"

Hiro shook his head, causing Mr. Owari to scrunch his nose up and furrow his eyebrows together in the most perplexed looking expression. Rose wanted to laugh, as Mr. Owari kind of resembled a dried prune with his expression, but she stifled her laughter and waited for the boy to respond. 

        "My brother."

        "Your brother? You mean Tadashi?"

Hiro nodded.

        "Does he want to attend San Fransokyo Tech?"

Hiro nodded again, only making Mr. Owari more confused than he already was. He scratched the back of his balding head and let out a sigh.

        "But the whole point of this project was to portray what you wanted to pursue in the future. The interests that you have... not your brother's."

       "That's exactly my point..." Hiro began, finally standing up from his chair.

        "I want to become like my brother when I grow up."

        "..."

Rose turned to face Hiro and Mr. Owari, a soft expression on her face. In turn, Mr. Owari momentarily squinted his eyes and let out another sigh. This time it sounded like a sigh of approval. 

        "Well, I don't want to be keeping the two of you any longer. Here's your prize for winning the contest."

Mr. Owari returned to his desk and produced a plain looking, cardboard box. Rose and Hiro looked at each other for a brief moment before shuffling to the front of the classroom to retrieve their prize. Rose glanced over at Hiro once more before thanking the teacher. The two of them began to walk to their customary location of meeting up with Tadashi.