The Human Torch (Fire Force) Chapter 13: Senior Maki

[Third Person's PoV] 


Johnny held Tamaki in his arms and looked down at her for a second before speaking in a solemn voice, “Don’t do anything perverted.”


“You say it like I do that on purpose! Just hurry up and put me down!” Tamaki snapped, her cheeks reddening to match the flames flickering from her cat ears and twin tails.


Johnny sighed as he slowly descended with Tamaki still in his arms. Normally, he would have taken the chance to tease her relentlessly, but right now, he just wasn’t in the mood.


As he landed, he gently set Tamaki down, much to her relief. She was even glad her “pervy syndrome” didn’t kick in for once.


Johnny’s eyes turned toward the testing site, now a wreck from the earlier explosion. The Joker’s voice and twisted grin still echoed in his mind.


“Our Tamaki owes you one.”


Johnny was pulled from his thoughts by a familiar voice behind him. Turning around, he saw Captain Burns of the First Division standing with arms crossed beside Tamaki.


“Squad Member Johnny, I believe. You have my thanks,” Burns said calmly.


“I didn’t do it for you. Don’t flatter yourself,” Johnny replied, indifferently. He clearly held no love for the man—especially not one who kept secrets from him about his own past, and more importantly, about his missing sister.


Tamaki shot Johnny a glare and hissed, “I’m grateful, but I won’t allow you to talk to the captain like that.”


Burns sighed, but before he could respond, Maki jogged over holding Johnny’s clothes. “Johnny, come on! You did great out there, but don’t embarrass us by standing around in the nude!”


“...”


“Y-Y-You’re naked right now?!” Tamaki shrieked, a look of horror on her face. “You were holding me while you were naked?! Pervert!”


“You’ve got your bra and panties out for the world to see. I’m like this because of my abilities. You being like that has nothing to do with your pyrokinetic powers. We are not the same,” Johnny scoffed. “So, who’s really the pervert here?”


Turning to Maki, he added with a smirk, “And you—was it really necessary to air out my business like that?”


Maki smirked right back. “Just proving you’re not the only one who can tease someone.”


Johnny chuckled and took his clothes from her hands. As he began dressing, the flames around him dimmed and died down. The lingering fire around his hair and shoulders gave him an almost ethereal glow as he pulled his pants back on and exhaled a small wisp of flame.


By the time he was dressed, Captain Burns was already walking over to speak with Obi, Tamaki trailing behind him with a huff.


Maki noticed Johnny clenching his jaw as he stared after Burns. She arched an eyebrow, concerned. “Johnny, what happened in there? Why did the testing site explode like that?” She placed a hand on his chest and asked softly, “Are you okay?”


Johnny shut his eyes for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, I’m alright. Come on, I’ll have to report this to Captain Obi anyway. I’d rather not repeat myself later.”


As they walked together, Johnny leaned in close and whispered, “Oh, and just so we’re clear—I think you’d look great in a pencil skirt. You should wear one more often.”


Maki turned red and glared at him. “You really can’t help yourself, can you?”


Johnny winked. “Not when it comes to you, I can’t~”


Later, after whispering a few words to Captain Obi, Captain Burns turned away, arms still firmly crossed. “Tamaki, I want a full briefing on what happened inside,” he ordered.


“Sir!” Tamaki responded with a salute.


Johnny then rejoined the rest of Squad 8.


“Battalion Commander Obi,” Shinra began, “we encountered a suspicious individual inside…”


Together, Shinra and Johnny recounted what had occurred within the test site involving the Joker.


“That man knew something,” Shinra said quietly, pensively. “Something about the death of my mother twelve years ago… Would the Special Fire Brigade really deceive us?”


“And he knew something about my sister too,” Johnny added, arms crossed, mirroring Captain Burns’s usual stance.


Shinra continued, emotion rising in his voice. “I became a Fire Soldier to protect everyone! Fire Soldiers are supposed to be heroes—fighting the terror of the flames!”


“You guys…” Obi said softly.


Maki looked at Johnny sympathetically. ‘So that’s why he looked so distant earlier.’ 


Captain Obi glanced between them all and said, “It’s best we continue this conversation back at the base. Johnny, you already know, but it seems it’s time the newcomers learn the real reason the 8th Brigade was formed.”



---


Later that night:


During the ride back, Maki couldn’t help but steal concerned glances at Johnny. He sat with his eyes closed, head leaning against the side of the Matchbox. He didn’t say a word—not even to tease her or throw in a casual jab.


And that silence said more than words ever could.


…


The Next Day…


Obi watched the news on TV, since the Newbie Tournament was halted the entire Special Fire Brigade was made to look for the Joker but found nothing. 


A sketch was of course created due to Johnny, Shinra's, and Tamaki's testimony. He was giving his appropriate alias as the Joker. 


Obi sighed and turned off the TV, “No News of the Joker as expected…” 


Shinra who was with Obi at the moment decided that now would be the time to pick up their conversation from yesterday. 


Meanwhile Johnny is sitting by the desk filling out casual paperwork with a bored and tired expression. Johnny was doing everything he could to keep his mind distracted, however nothing was working. 


Johnny stood up with a push from his desk and walked over towards the water station. He leaned back against the wall, his gaze distant and out of focus while the water cup lingered around his lips. 


“What are you thinking so hard about?” 


Johnny was jolted out of his thoughts and turned towards Maki, who was looking at him with her hands behind her back. 


“You Obviously~” Johnny said, biting the edge of his cup and winking. 


Maki this time didn't get flustered and rolled her eyes, “Oh come on, we both that's just a straight up lie. There's no way you would be thinking about it me that intently” 


“I could be~” Johnny said in a low, charismatic purr. 


“Yeah, but you're not,” Maki said, leaning against the wall with her shoulders and crossing her eyes. 


Johnny didn't retort and just silently continued drinking his water. 


“You want to talk about it?” Maki asked. 


“No, not really,” Johnny answered. 


Maki nodded her head, before asking, “Is it about your sister?”


Johnny slowly turned his head and stared at her, “Didn't I say I didn't want to talk about it?” 


“That you did” Maki nodded her head, wobbling it back and forth before smiling brightly at Johnny, “I Just chose to ignore it” 


Johnny stared at her incredulously, not knowing how to really respond to such a statement. However didn't need to as Maki spoke first, 


“As your senior It's only right I worry about my little Junior. Not to mention if you get yourself distracted during a mission it can be detrimental to not just us or the victims but to yourself as well. So I thought that if you get to talk about it your mind would clear and such a thing won't be likely to happen” Maki said. 


Johnny stared into her violet color eyes for a few seconds, enough where Maki's cheek gained a different hue. 


Johnny closed his eyes momentarily and nodded his head, “Yes I was thinking about my Sister” 


Maki had a look of understanding before she asked, “What exactly are you thinking about?”


Johnny hesitated for a moment, “Well for most of my life I only had one goal, prove and find out if my sister was alive. I accomplished that yesterday, so now I suppose I'm a little lost on what to do next and where to head exactly. I feel stuck like I shouldn't be here right now, that I should be looking out there looking for my sister wherever she may be. But then there comes another problem, where the hell do I even begin to look for her?” 


Maki stared at Johnny with a soft expression, like she was starting to understand him better, getting a better view of the person ‘Johnny Storm’ truly was. That there was more to him than his flirtatious personality of his. 


Maki placed a comforting hand on Johnny's shoulders, “Listen, I don't know what the best thing for you is right now, but the thing I do know is to take your time and don't be anxious rushing to get results. Sometimes taking it slow is the best thing to do, I mean look at what happened you weren't actively looking for clues about your sister and yet you accomplished part of your goal without really trying. 


Didn't you mention yesterday that you know that she's safe right? So there's no reason to rush, be patient, take your time, and I'm sure you'll come across exactly what you're looking for” 


Johnny looked down at his empty cup, a faint smile spreading across his lips, “I suppose you have a point. Thanks” 


Maki puffed her chest slightly banged her fist against it, “Do problem, what are seniors for anyways”


Johnny chuckled, finding her adorable. 


Maki then placed a finger by her chin and asked, “If you don't mind me asking, What's your sister's name anyway? You never managed to tell us that” 


Johnny tossed his empty water cup towards trash and said, “Susan… My sister's name is Susan” 


Maki smiled and nodded, “Then don't worry, I'm sure you and Susan will soon reunite” 


Maki then froze as Johnny went and grabbed her chin, and laid a kiss on her cheek. 


Maki's face exploded into a blush, slapping her hands over her cheek, “W-W-W-What was that for!?!” 


Johnny, who was walking, stopped with his hands in pockets, and looked back with a sly grin, “My reward for being such a reliable senior~ If you want more make sure to let me know, I'll be more than happy to oblige” He winked before continuing back to his desk. 


Maki was left feeling too flustered and embarrassed to even think of a way to respond.