Gambling was a bad habit. Jun knew that. But when he was Jasper living in Las Vegas, his clients always wanted to visit at least one casino.
So he learned the trade and made sure his clients had a good time. Years of watching rich lonely guys throw money at the table, then the experts that marked the tables with said lonely rich guys.
When he got involved, it was always low stakes but when he started getting good at it? He'd hit the bigger tables. But he kept a firm rule. Always walk away with what you entered with. Not a cent less.
His goal here as Jun? It was simple, keep a small amount of money to spend for himself, keep himself independent.
Jun, having lived as an adult, had ideas and wants that his parents would question or impede because of his age.
So Jun gambled. And he gambled well.
By the time the day ended, he had tripled what he put down today. 50,000 yen.
Enough to pay his phone bill for his and Toga's phone bill for the month while being more than enough to get her a decent gift.
Won't have to gamble next month if I pick the right gift.
He checked his phone, seeing the 70,000 yen looking back on the screen.
A decent chunk of change that will act as a nice cushion at least.
***
The next few weeks were the same. School, Trash Run, Gym, Phone call, Sleep.
The only major difference was the weighted vest he kept on. 22 pounds of it.
It didn't feel all that bad after the first week, just slower before he got more and more comfortable.
His trash runs took the heaviest hit, the distance shrinking by a fourth, his legs feeling like jelly on the way home.
The grey orb was the biggest saving grace to Jun. Without it, he theorized that his progress would be cut in half.
At school, Jun kept talking with Mina and Kirishima but kept a distance. He wanted them to cross that social distance and with every interaction he kept the verbal bait right in front.
He could see it working with Mina. Every time he walked by there was a short conversation before Jun politely exited, promising another talk.
With Kirishima, Jun had to initiate it. Reinforcing the "cool guy" compliments he had given Kirishima before.
It seemed to be working as Kirishima pushed his hair up, no hair gel, just combing it back.
Jun shook his head, and the next day hair gel was placed on Kirishima's desk. "This works better, Cool guy."
Before Kirishima could answer, Mina popped in. "Woah! You're giving fashion advice now, Jun?"
Jun shrugged, unbothered by her presence.
"Only to the cool guys."
Mina looked at Kirishima, as if judging Jun's vision. "I see it, you got a good eye for cool."
Kirishima looked down, taking the gel into his hands. "Thanks… I'm trying to be cool."
Jun chuckled. "You don't try. You are. Just trust me."
Kirishima looked up. "Right, I am. Thanks, Jun."
"No need to thank me, just use the gel well, alright?"
Kirishima nodded. "I will."
Jun cracked a smile. "Now Mina, I know you just didn't come over to see my cool friends, but I wouldn't blame you if you did."
Mina laughed. "Not today at least, I was wondering if you'd like to join some of us to go hang out?"
She looked over at Kirishima. "Your friend is invited too."
Jun tilted his head in thought. "I can hang out if Eijiro comes."
Kirishima looked at Jun. "Eh?!"
"Come hang out, dude. Not like it's a problem."
"O-okay, yeah, I'll go!"
Jun clasped him on the back. "Nice, pack that hair gel up and let's rock."
***
Later that week after several outings with Mina and friends, Jun got a message from Toga.
It included a screenshot of her recent exam, showing higher marks than he was used to seeing with her.
A solid 93.
[Bloodqueen: Where's my present!]
Jun chuckled as he checked the online order he placed. It was already paid for the day that he found it. All he needed was the excuse to send it.
[Junfun: It's on the way now. Enjoy, Bloodbug.]
[Bloodqueen: I'll forgive it this time hmmph!]
Jun pocketed his phone with a smile as he took out a water bottle from his bag, the 5th one of the day.
Damn dry mouth.
He tugged at the weighted vest under his clothes.
Keeping the power on doesn't seem to increase the limit, so it's either I'm training it wrong or… it's tied to the orbs.
Jun sighed, tossing the now empty water bottle into a recycling bin.
I'll have to hang out with Hiro, maybe talk about his quirk. Get him opening up to the idea of pushing its limits.
Jun clapped his face. "Alright, Gym time."
Over the next few weeks time was tight. He spent his school time with Mina and Kirishima. Not to mention the outings that Mina and her friends planned and invited him on.
Jun found that Mina constantly asked him about his opinion whenever the group would bring up something. Jun wouldn't engage more than necessary but also wouldn't leave room for disappointment.
He could tell that it left Mina wanting to ask more but socially stopped when the group moved on to another topic.
With Kirishima, Jun talked to him about style and hobbies. Kirishima seemed to naturally gravitate towards his canon likes but Jun felt there was something missing, that manly spark.
While at the gym he talked and experimented with Hiro's quirk.
Jun was able to see the full force of the quirk as Hiro applied it to his own personal workout.
Sweat dripped off the man like a flood, causing Jun to act as a water boy so Hiro didn't dehydrate.
Toga had texted back, loving the gift. A red cat plush with an X for an eye.
That day his phone was flooded with selfies of her taking the plush everywhere.
Time continued to pass, routine and safe.
Until it wasn't.
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Welcome to my new novel that probably winning second place on my p*treon poll. Theres still time to vote!
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