Musutafu's sky was golden that evening, the sun dipping low and painting everything in warm light.
Hawks adjusted his jacket as he waited by the old church gate. Aerith was already there, arranging flowers into a small basket, her gentle humming floating through the air.
> "Hey," Hawks greeted, smiling softly. "You always beat me here."
Aerith turned, her smile brighter than the sunlight.
> "Flowers don't wait for heroes, Hawks."
> "Guess I'll have to fly faster next time."
She laughed quietly, and that sound alone made his long week of patrols worth it.
The plan was simple: walk around the plaza, share ice cream, enjoy the view from the river bridge — something small, something real.
And for a while, it was perfect.
Her soft laughter, the way she offered him flowers without hesitation, how the city seemed to slow down around them — everything felt peaceful.
Until Hawks' instincts flared.
Years of being watched, tracked, and followed by enemies had trained him to sense eyes on his back. And right now… someone was watching.
He turned slightly, pretending to stretch his wings. His sharp gaze caught movement in the crowd — a familiar figure in dark blue and violet.
> "Oh, for crying out loud," he muttered.
Across the plaza, Nemuri Kayama — Midnight, Pro Hero and U.A. teacher — ducked behind a lamp post like she was on a spy mission.
She wasn't subtle. Not even close.
Behind her stood Tokoyami Fumikage, Hawks' protégé, looking deeply uncomfortable.
> "Sensei, this feels unethical," Tokoyami whispered.
> "Shh! Observation training," Midnight hissed, eyes wide with excitement. "Look! The Number Two Hero is on a date!"
> "That does not look like official work…"
> "Exactly," she whispered dramatically. "Which is why we observe!"
Hawks sighed, forcing a smile for Aerith.
> "You ever get that feeling someone's tailing you?"
Aerith didn't even flinch.
> "Feels like the Turks all over again," she said softly. "Old memories."
> "You handle it better than most heroes I know," Hawks murmured, impressed.
She smiled knowingly.
> "When you've seen the worst, being watched isn't so scary anymore."
---
Meanwhile, behind a nearby food cart—
> "Oh my god, they're holding hands," Midnight whispered.
> "Sensei, please stop narrating," Tokoyami said, sinking lower behind the cart.
> "This is educational! Emotional reading and stealth—"
> "You are neither stealthy nor educational right now."
Midnight ignored him completely, eyes gleaming.
> "She's beautiful. Calm. Graceful. And definitely not a pro hero. Who is she?"
> "Someone special, it seems," Tokoyami said quietly.
---
When Hawks finally decided they'd had enough, he bent slightly toward Aerith, his voice low.
> "Don't turn around, but we've got two shadows. One loud, one dramatic."
Aerith's lips curved in amusement.
> "Should we let them have their fun?"
> "I'd rather not be tomorrow's gossip headline."
She giggled.
> "Then let's give them something harmless to talk about."
Before he could ask what she meant, Aerith reached up, tucked a tiny flower into Hawks' hair, and smiled.
The sight made Hawks' heart stop — and sure enough, behind the food cart came a loud gasp.
> "SHE PUT A FLOWER IN HIS HAIR!" Midnight squealed.
Tokoyami just sighed.
> "...We're doomed."
---
Later, as the sun finally disappeared, Hawks walked Aerith home.
The evening breeze was gentle, her steps slow beside his.
> "You think they'll stop following us?" he asked.
> "Maybe," she said. "Or maybe they'll just talk about the flower."
He chuckled softly.
> "Could be worse. At least it wasn't the press."
Aerith looked up at him, her green eyes warm.
> "You don't like being seen?"
> "Not when it comes to this," Hawks admitted. "This—" he gestured to her, to the quiet between them "—is mine."
Her smile was soft, understanding.
> "Then I'll keep it that way."
---
Across town, Midnight finally stood up from behind the food cart, grinning like a teenager.
> "Oh, this is so going in the staff chat."
Tokoyami groaned.
> "Sensei, please—"
> "For educational purposes, of course," she added, already pulling out her phone.