[Ah... A familiar face! Completely unfazed by Rin's shock and worries, Hiro gives a friendly wave in his direction. Byakko was sizing Rin up in the meanwhile... If he was a friend of Hiro's, then he wouldn't worry much. Probably.]

Because he's my friend. Byakko's completely harmless.

[He says this like it's the most casual thing in the world. And to him, this pretty much was the standard for him now. Byakko wouldn't fight unless you give him a reason to fight. Like threatening to hurt Hiro or any of his buddies. Mostly Hiro, though. His master's protection took first and foremost priority before anything else.]

Why the hell are you holding a flamethrower? [He mirrors Rin's tone almost mockingly.] You might burn someone with that thing, Rinny!