Bets and Pecks
It was a stupid bet with his friends: Fake a British accent to sound high-class and try to get a girl's number. Of course, it was just Tadashi's luck that the first girl he approached was studying in San Fransokyo from London and saw right through his little charade. She chewed him out for being a "wanker" and he was left to face the music.
His punishment now was to stand on the busiest intersection of the city holding a sign advertising "Free Kisses" in glittery bubble letters. And if that wasn't bad enough, a heat wave decided to roll in that day with temperatures so high, you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.
Shaded by the awning of a nearby restaurant, the gang from the lab watched with eager anticipation as to who would step up to the plate. Tadashi cast a side glare at them as he remembered what they said as they set him up on the corner.
"Just one kiss, Tadashi," Honey had told him. "Then we can do something fun."
"Woman up," GoGo added.
"I told you not to take the bet," Wasabi scolded.
"Cheer up, man. Maybe you'll meet your future wife. That'll be a heck of a story, huh?" Fred was way too optimistic.
Tadashi tightened his grip on the sign. One kiss.
Meanwhile, Hiro was heading home from the movies when he spotted someone very familiar on the opposite side of the street.
That can't be...
Speeding through the crosswalk, the face became more recognizable. Not to mention the faded gray baseball cap. There was no doubt now.
He stepped onto the pavement. "Tadashi?"
"Hiro... Hi."
"What is all this?" He gestured to the sign, which was decorated with a pair of bright pink lips. Definitely Honey's handiwork.
He could tell that his brother was not pleased that he had found him. Tadashi cleared his throat. "I, uh, lost a bet."
Hiro tried to mask the giggles that overcame him as a cough, but it wasn't going so well. This was so much better than he would have imagined. "Really?"
"Yes," Tadashi answered, not sharing in Hiro's amusement.
"Can I get a picture of this?" he asked, reaching for his phone. "It's blackmail gold."
"Don't worry, Honey got plenty."
Hiro suppressed another chuckle. "All this time, I thought your friends were sweet and innocent, but it turns out they're pretty sadistic. How long have you been standing here?"
Tadashi screwed his mouth into a tight line before answering. "Couple hours, I guess."
"Brutal. Did you get any takers?" He waggled his eyebrows.
"Why do you think I'm still here?"
"No offers? I'm shocked. You are quite the catch, you know. What are you doing wrong? I think you should do a dance. Or maybe sing."
The older boy scowled at him.
Hiro decided to ease up. "I'm kidding, you baby. But seriously, is this safe? It's really hot. Like, ninety degrees," he said, his tone sounding oddly mature.
"I know. But, I made my bed, and now I have to lie in it."
Hiro folded his arms. "How long do you have to lie in it, exactly?"
He shifted his weight from one leg to the other. "Until I get a kiss."
"Just one?"
Tadashi nodded.
Peeking behind him, Hiro waved to his friends, who were sitting around an iron patio table with ice cream cones.
He then returned his gaze up at him. As much as he was enjoying it, Hiro couldn't let him suffer this public humiliation anymore. "Come here."
"What?" He sounded confused.
Hiro rolled his eyes and grabbed a fistful of Tadashi's shirt, pulling him close.
Their lips met in what was barely a peck, but Hiro was sure it would suffice.
"There," he said, smoothing the fabric he had crumpled in his hand. "You're free to go. Just be glad I got here first before some weirdo." He gave Tadashi's cheek a gentle slap. "Now get out of this sun before you shrivel up and die. I'll see you at home."
Bounding away, Hiro couldn't resist and took a final glance back. Tadashi looked like a deer in the headlights, still trying to process what had just happened.
He laughed to himself as he turned the corner. The things I do for that nerd.