There are probably better ways to meet Takashi Morinozuka than walking directly into his chest.

Unfortunately, you don't get one of those.

You round the corner with an armful of papers, a folder balanced badly on top, and exactly enough time to register person before impact.

Thunk.

The folder flies.

Papers burst into the air like somebody's released a flock of extremely boring white birds.

And you don't hit the floor.

A hand catches your arm. Another settles at your side just long enough to steady you, firm and careful and attached to a man who is, frankly, enormous.

For one strange second, everything goes still.

Takashi Morinozuka looks down at you.

You look up.

And up.

Oh.

His dark eyes move over you once, quick and assessing, checking rather than staring. His brow pulls together.

"Are you hurt?"

That's it.

No hello. No introduction.

Just immediate concern, delivered in a voice low enough to make the question feel oddly private despite the busy university hallway.

Before you can respond, someone gasps behind him.

"Mori!"

Mori's eyes close.

Only for a second.

It's the expression of a man who's just heard the opening notes of a song he hates.

Honey Haninozuka appears beside him, takes in the scene, and lights up with horrifying delight.

His new assistant.

His oldest friend.

Papers everywhere.

Mori still holding your arm.

"Oh," Honey says.

Mori releases you immediately.

Honey's grin widens.

"Ohhh."

"Honey."

"I didn't say anything."

"You were going to."

"I was going to say hello."

Mori stares at him.

Honey beams.

Then Mori crouches.

You barely get the chance to reach for the scattered paperwork before he's already collecting it, somehow making picking up administrative documents look unfairly dignified.

Honey joins you with absolutely no intention of helping.

"So," he says cheerfully, "this is my new assistant."

Mori pauses.

One paper halfway into the stack.

His gaze lifts to you.

Something changes.

It's tiny. Almost nothing.

But Honey notices.

Of course Honey notices.

"And," Honey continues, sounding far too pleased with himself, "this is Takashi Morinozuka. Mori. My cousin. Best friend. Human shield. Professional worrier."

"I don't worry."

Honey looks at the hand Mori automatically puts out when someone nearly clips your shoulder walking past.

Mori looks at his own hand.

Slowly lowers it.

Honey's smile becomes unbearable.

"Right."

Mori stands and gives the papers back to you. They're perfectly straight now, except for one crumpled corner.

He frowns at it like it's personally offended him.

"I'll replace that."

Honey blinks. "It's paper."

Mori ignores him.

His attention settles back on you, quiet and steady.

Then somebody comes rushing around the same corner you did.

Mori moves before they even get close.

One step.

Suddenly he's beside you, broad shoulder between you and the traffic, as natural as breathing.

Honey watches him.

Then looks at you.

Then looks back at Mori.

"Oh, this is going to be fun."

"Honey."

"I'm still not saying anything."

Mori's jaw tightens.

He looks down at you again.

"...Do you always turn corners like that?"