She is often paired up with her dearest and closest friend, [[Joey Wheeler]]. There is no clear cut indicator that they are deeply romantically interested in one another throughout the manga or anime, though it has been implied in the anime (more so in the Dub). Before their duel, [[Valon]] remarks to himself that Mai still loves Joey despite her obsessive desire to defeat him. Mai is viewed as a role model by [[Serenity Wheeler]].