Rose, in a less than giddy fashion, pulled herself up and walked with Tiffany to the others.

All the while, she hid her gaze from Max. She just couldn't bring herself to look at him.

And once they'd arrived...

Ken: Good job, both of you.

Luke: Yeah, you did great.

Tiffany: Thanks, guys.

Rose: Yeah... thanks....

The fact that Max hadn't said anything had not gone unnoticed by Rose.

Her eyes weakly turned towards him before...

Max: Yeah... great job.

The statement came out of nowhere and surprised Rose so much that her face jolted towards Max immediately.

Rose: R.... really?!

He seemed somewhat bothered about something.

Max: Yeah... Tiffany's just really tricky, isn't she?

Rose: Ummm.... uh,... yeah... She is.

Ken and Luke simply smiled at each other knowingly, while Tiffany sighed and simply shrugged it off.

Julianne: I must say, that was quite the spectacle.

Rose: R... really, Mrs Hunter?

Julianne: Absolutely. Tiffany's strategy for dealing with psychic powers really did surprise me.

Tiffany: Thank you, Mrs Hunter.

Julianne: And Rose, ...

Rose: Hmm?

She'd only expected Tiffany to receive praise at that point.

Julianne: ... you did quite well yourself.

Rose: I... I did?

Julianne: Uh huh.

She gave Rose an earnest smile.

Julianne: It takes guts not to give up even when it looks like it's over.

Of all the things she'd expected to receive that day, a genuine complement, moreover one specific to a trait of hers, was not one of them.

Moreover, a complement from an adult. 

And an adult that she respected and adored.

And so, while jolting, she replied...

Rose: Oh! Thank you so much, Mrs Hunter.

Julianne: Oh, it's no trouble, really. After all, it's true.

The pair looked into each other's eyes with something of an understanding happiness as the rest of the team watched, all of them but Max happy to see Rose so happy, and as for Max, he did not understand what was going on, and so he chose to ignore it.

Julianne: Alright, everyone, let's go eat!

Luke: Great, I'm starving.

Ken: Yes, my appetite could use some satiating.

Luke: Easy for you to say, you haven't even sparred today.

Ken: Well... to be fair, I have officiated several matches. That to me was quite stressful.

Luke: Uh huh......

Luke was well accustomed to this part of Ken.

Rose: (to Julianne) I can't wait. Oh, oh, I never showed you that recipe.

Julianne: Oh, that's right. We can take a look at it together after dinner, m'kay?

Rose: Ok!

Tiffany could only observe the two looking at each other, smiling, much to her shock.

Tiffany: (thinking: Did these two.... genuinely... bond?)

She wasn't mad or upset or even jealous. Just... shocked. And to a small degree.... happy. Happy that Rose had another friend.

Tiffany: I apologise for the interjection, Mrs Hunter. But since Ken hasn't sparred, and since I haven't sustained that much damage, then the two of us will have to spar next.

Ken: Oh.... (thinking: Well... so much for getting out of that.)

Julianne: That's alright. I can wait.

Luke: Ugh...

Rose giggled at Luke's discomfort.

As for Max, one thing had struck him as necessary to mind at that moment.

Max: Hold it!

They all turned to Max, wondering as to what was wrong.

Max: Since Ken didn't spar, then I should take him on next.

Ken: Oh brother.

It was immediately apparent to Ken what Max was talking about.

Tiffany: It's fine. We'll deal with your match with him next time.

Ken: That's not what he's talking about.

Tiffany: Hmm?

Ken: As you may all have been keeping count... if Max defeats me... then....

Tiffany: Oh...

It wasn't that they didn't know that. Rather, it was that they hadn't taken a lot of time to think of this.

If Max beat Ken, he'd have beaten every member of the team.

At that realisation, as Tiffany turned to Max, she saw a cocky smile show up on his face.

Tiffany: (thinking: So, that's what he wants. Oh boy...)

Luke: (sigh) I see what you're getting at, Max. But your fight with me left you too exhausted. Fighting Ken now will only put you at a disadvantage. It wouldn't be fair.

Tiffany: He's right. You should wait till our next session.

Max: Yeah, yeah... but Im good now.

Luke: Huh?

Max: Well, I rested up while Rose and Tiffany were sparring. So...

Luke: You think you can take Ken on?

Max: Yep!

Rose: Max....

Somehow, that only made her admire him more.

His mother, who'd been watching the whole thing happen, was barely surprised.

Julianne: (sigh and smile) (thinking: That's my boy....)

Max: So, let's go, Ken!

He raised his fist to Ken for a fist bump.

All eyes turned to Ken, who simply looked back at Max, motionless and unresponsive for several seconds, so much more that Max had begun to get second thoughts.

But he didn't remove his arm.

And then suddenly, to everybody's surprise...

Ken: Sure. Why not?

Max: Alright!