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"It is fine to trust one's subordinates," Hiro's father said. "But I think you are getting to close with that one young man-- Ando, I believe his name is? You are born to a far better destiny than indulging him."
"Yes, Father," Hiro said.
Father would never understand. When the others teased him about his comic books, Ando would glare, and they'd leave him be for a while. When Ando laughed, he laughed with affection, not malice; when Ando smiled at him, he seemed to genuinely enjoy his company.
Hiro had only one person at Yamagoto he could call an ally, much less a friend; and he loved his friend all the more for that.