And so, Natsuki got to work in the kitchen as Terry began to clean up the mess made by the previous fight. Terry made rather short work of the ashes, debris, and body wash that littered the hardwood floor. Soon, the room was even cleaner than it had been before the fight. Terry Crews truly was a wonderful human being. Finally, when Natsuki's baking was finished, she presented her product to her special guest. Four cupcakes had been baked neatly, and frosted with little red hearts and pink smiley faces.

Terry took two of the cupcakes and examined the intricate details slowly. He was in awe, to say the least, for not only were they cupcakes, but also works of art. Then, he took a bite of one, and instantly there was an explosion of flavor in his mouth. Every single second his taste buds were in contact with the soft and fluffy cupcakes was another second in heaven. Natsuki watched him eat with frayed nerves, anxious as to whether or not he would like it.

"OH YEAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Terry exclaimed loudly, causing bits of cupcake to fly out of his mouth. "NATSUKI! THESE CUPCAKES ARE ALMOST AS DELICIOUS AS OLD SPICE IS FRAGRANT! HOW DID YOU LEARN TO BAKE SO WELL!?"

Natsuki beamed with pride. "I always knew my cooking was godlike. Let's just say having to fend for yourself has a few merits."

"Well, you taught yourself very well. Your friends must love your cooking."

"Y-yeah, they do! I bake for them a lot!" She proclaimed excitedly. Of course, this was something Natsuki always knew at a subconscious level. She had received countless compliments from Monika, Sayori, and Yuri about her baking skills. It was one thing to receive praise from your friends at school, though; it was another entirely to hear the same encouragement from someone you looked up to. It washed over her, helping to purify all those negative and damaging thoughts that resided in the back of her mind. For this reason, Natsuki came to realize that Terry Crews was a gift to be shared to the world.

Still, there was just one little request that lingered in the back of her mind. She figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

"Hey, Terry?"

Terry looked up from his cupcake. "Hmm?"

"C-can I ask for your advice on something?"

"Of course."

"You see, there's this boy I like in school. He's so nice to me, even when others wouldn't give me the time of day. We share the same interests, too. He's into manga; I am too. He's into anime, so am I. He likes my poems and drawings," Natsuki sighed dreamily. "He even thinks I'm cute."

"That sounds great, Natsuki," Terry remarked with genuine interest. "Sounds like you too were made for each other."

Natsuki groaned, then bit into a cupcake. "There's a problem. Well, two problems. He's really dense, like really really dense. I don't even think he was flirting with me when he called me cute. He's also good friends with Yuri, and I don't think I can compete with. . ."

"With what?"

Natsuki gestured to her chest, and then to her figure in general.

"Ohhhhhhhhh. Well, boobs alone don't make a good girlfriend, do they?"

"It's not just her chest," Natsuki defended. "Yuri is a member of my literature club, and I value her friendship. But she's shy, sophisticated, nice. . . She's just better than me," Natsuki sighed dejectedly. "I try to be cute, too. I got a whole tsundere routine going on, but I feel like I'm just annoying him."

"Does he seem annoyed?" Terry prodded.

"Well, no. I just don't know why he'd choose me over her."

"Boys can be dumb, Natsuki, especially if what you say about this one is true. Why don't you just tell him how you feel? Maybe over a manga reading or something? He doesn't seem like the type to hate you for it."

"What do I have to offer him?" Natsuki questioned bitterly.

Terry rose from his seat and proceeded to wrap Natsuki in a hug both firm and gentle. "I know your friend Yuri makes you feel inadequate, but you are so much more than the sum of your parts. You are a girl with your own hopes and dreams, wants and fears. Seize the day. Show him that you are worthy of his love, and he will eventually give it to you. I promise. And if he picks Yuri, don't turn your back on him. He is your friend regardless, and so is Yuri. Be happy for them."

Natsuki took comfort in his words as well as his embrace. When Terry released her, he saw a face filled to the brim with determination.

"You're right!" She exclaimed, her words backed with the powers of confidence and courageousness. "I'm going to tell him today, and no matter what the outcome is, he's gonna be my friend!"

"That's the spirit!" Crews shouted, unable to contain his own excitement. "You got this, Natsuki!"

"All thanks to you," she reminded, a thankful tone in her voice. "You gave me the strength, after all."

Terry Crews could have easily taken the credit here, but he was too noble of a man for such a thing. "No, Natsuki, I was not the one who gave you the strength. Truthfully, it was inside you all along; I just helped you find and nurture it."

Natsuki couldn't help but feel the tears well up in her eyes again. This time, however, they were not the tears of disappointment. Instead, they were the tears of a gentle joy. "You truly are the best dad ever."

"Well," Terry Crews chuckled. "I try."

Then Natsuki rose to her feet. She had dreaded this moment, the parting of ways between the two kind souls. Nevertheless, she now came to accept that letting go was a part of life. The memories and wise words of Terry Crews, brief as they may have been, would forever resonate in her hear, as would the fatherly love she knew he felt for her.

"Well, I guess I should start getting ready for school."

"Yeah," Terry agreed, also rising. "I need to get to the set of the commercial, the right one this time."

Natsuki threw herself into Terry's arms for the last time. As she pulled back, she swore she saw a single tear running down Terry's cheek. Even the manliest of men still cried sometimes, and that was OK.

"Wait!" Natsuki interjected. "I have an idea!" She exclaimed as she took off and dashed up the stairs as quickly as she could. She returned not five seconds later, cell phone in hand, and ran toward Terry excitedly. "Let's take a picture! You know, so I'll always have a piece of you with me."

Terry grinned. "I'd like that."

"Alright!" Natsuki said, already aiming the camera at their smiling faces. "Say cheese, Papa!"

In just under thirty minutes, Natsuki had managed to shower, brush, and get dressed for school. Some small hope resounded in her that Terry Crews would walk with her to school if she was quick. Unfortunately, when she bounded down the stairs, she found herself alone.

"Mr. Crews?" She called out, just to know for sure. "Papa."

Only silence.

Natsuki could feel her heart split in two. She should have known better than to believe that he could stay. Was it selfish of her to even ask? Such a thought lingered in the back of her head as she entered the kitchen. To her surprise, she saw that the ashes of her "father" had been neatly swept up and disposed of. The wall that had been destroyed was now repaired and even repainted. All the Axe and plastic was now carefully cleaned off the floor. How could such damage be repaired so quickly? Natsuki did not know.

The greatest repair, however, was the one Terry Crews did to the atmosphere. For the first time in forever, Natsuki's household was in a state of harmony. Hopefully, it would remain that way for years to come.

Natsuki approached the countertop. There was a neatly folded note waiting for her, and she opened it just as gently.

Sorry I had to go. I tried to clean up my mess as best as I could.

I love you, Natsuki. I don't know when or if we will ever meet again, but I hope a part of me stays with you. You're worth so much more than you could possibly imagine, and you deserve to know that.

With Love,

Terry Crews

Natsuki's eyes were already watery once again. She allowed the tears to fall, the words to find a permanent spot in her mind, and the comfort to wash over her. With newfound gratefulness, she turned to the window. It was dawn outside. The start of a new day. The start of a new life.

It was time for her to make the best of it. She grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, sat down at a chair, and wrote in the best handwriting she could muster:

Roses are red

My cheeks are too

Can I tell you something?

I want to date you.

Somewhere, countless miles away, Terry Crews drove down a country road on his Terry Crews-shaped motorcycle. In front of him was an empty freeway that led eastward toward a golden sunrise. He did not know exactly how long he had been traveling, nor did he know exactly where he was going. Like a leaf in the breeze, he simply allowed instinct to guide him where he was needed.

"You did good back there, Big Me," said Mini Terry Crews, who rode in the passenger car of the motorcycle. "Saving that girl and all."

"Thank you, Mini Me. It helps that I have you for emotional support during these long rides."

"Well hey, I know even you need someone else's comfort every once in a while."

Terry Crews smiled. Another day had come to an end, and another life had been forever changed for the better. This was what his life had become as of late, and he wouldn't trade it for the world.

"I hope Natsuki's crush realizes what a lucky guy he is," Little Crews remarked. He began to apply some Old Spice deodorant to his sweaty armpits.

Terry smiled. "I have a feeling he already knows."

With those words, the two Terry Crewses popped a wheelie so epic that gravity simply no longer applied to them. Their motorcycle soared gracefully into the morning sky. Terry felt a strong tailwind blow behind him, and it served to remind him that he was a blessed force upon this world.

The End