Lani POV:

You ever been in a situation so painfully awkward, you hoped a meteor would hit earth at that exact moment and put you out of your misery? Yeah, that's where I'm at right now.

The silverware continued to clank against the dinner plates, and it was the only thing to fill the room for the last five minutes. A simple cough or sneeze would gather everyone's attention at this point.

And, as if being here like an outcast wasn't awkward enough, it seems Shouto didn't give his family enough warning to really prepare for an extra guest at dinner. His sister had to grab an extra chair and shove it between her and Shouto's older brother. It was so crammed, I've accidentally played footsie with both of them enough times to hope I would just simultaneously combust off the planet.

Not to mention, there's an open seat right next to Endeavor. Why couldn't I have just taken that one? And now that I thought it out loud, I'd rather play footsie with the snow white twins all night than sit next to that man any day of the week. Forget I said anything....

Mr. Yaoyorozu and Endeavor, were seated at both ends of the table. As expected, Momo took her 'rightful' place next to Shouto, with those dual colored eyes sat directly across from me. Call it lucky, or the most unlucky thing ever. I'm gonna go with the second option because I couldn't even fidget without him staring at me. God, he was so perceptive. It was unnerving.

I wasn't sure who was giving me more side glances across the table. Shouto or Momo. Seriously, I have half a mind to ask Momo if she's come out yet with how interested she is in my face. How do you think that would go over with this group?

Ah, but then again, no one had looked at me more than Mrs. Yaoyorozu, with the crotchety old bat sipping her stupid twenty-seven years expired French wine. She glanced at me over the rim of her glass every other blink as if I'd suddenly pick pocket one of the butter knives.

Yeah. Some business dinner this is, huh? Nice going, Shouto...

I sighed stiffly as I took a drink from my own wine glass, tensing my jaw in annoyance at the taste.

Fuck them. That French wine is damn delicious.

My heart flipped upon setting my glass down, getting a jump scare upon seeing Shouto glancing at me again for a countless time. "Is it good?" He asked me softly, gathering the attention of everyone in the room.

That's the first time Shouto's said a word at this dinner and it was a question directed for me. Yikes.

Momo's mother pressed her lips together tightly, giving a disapproving shake of her head as she whispered something to Mr. Yaoyorozu.

Ugh. God. This is so tense...

I rubbed the back of my neck and nodded, keeping my gaze on my plate as I tried to brush him off, "Yep. Super good."

Momo blinked a few extra times, glancing between Shouto and I with a look that screamed 'I'm insecure af.' Though, if you've learned anything from my monologues lately, it's not like I have any room to talk.

I felt secondhand embarrassment for her as she grabbed some of the anpan from the tray in the middle of the table before placing them on Shouto's plate. "You should try some of this, honey." She whispered, causing me to hold back an eye roll.

Funny. She's his girlfriend, but apparently doesn't know that Shouto doesn't like the taste of red bean paste.

"No. Stop doing that. I don't want it." Shouto said at normal speaking volume, knocking the bun off his plate with his chopsticks.

He really picks the worst times to be so unintentionally savage.

Momo's jaw dropped slightly as the bun landed on the white table cloth, quickly shooting a tense chuckle to group when she sensed their watching eyes. "I-I'll eat it then! Or...I would have if I wasn't eating keto."

"I knew it!" Fuyumi whispered, shaking her head in self-disappointment at all the carbs.

Mrs. Yaoyorozu placed her wine glass on the table with enough of a clank to get everyone's attention before she looked at Shouto with an insincere smile. "So, Shouto. I just realized your mother's not joining us tonight?"

Shouto swallowed heavily, and I caught the way his eyes immediately went to the empty chair next to Endeavor. Ah, I see. That must be his mother's seat. I didn't even think about the fact she wasn't here until now. Mostly because no one seemed fazed by her absence.

Shouto's gaze returned to his plate before he slurped up some noodles, clearly having no intention of answering Mrs. Yaoyorozu.

"Um...Mom had a bit of a....setback." Fuyumi quickly chimed in, side eyeing the empty seat heavily. "Hopefully she won't be at the hospital too long this time though."

Hospital?

I didn't know Shouto' mother was in the hospital. It was only now that I realized there's so much I don't know about Shouto in general. He told me he had a sick brother, but nothing about his mother. His home life was a mystery, and knowing Shouto, I guessed that was probably intentional. When he truly wants to keep something private, he will.

I guess we're similar in that regard.

"Mother, please." Momo said, dabbing the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "We shouldn't talk about personal things like that in front of those who aren't family."

She made it a point to look at my way when she said it, causing me to smile at her mockingly. "I didn't realize you were part of the Todoroki family, Miss Yaoyorozu. It makes sense though. You and Shouto do give off more of a sibling vibe."

Shouto's brother, Natsuo, choked on his food in laughter, quickly covering his mouth when the Yaoyorozus glared at him. He cleared his throat, still wearing an amused smile. "My bad."

Endeavor grunted lowly, leaning forward and eyeing him. "Oi. Pull yourself together, boy." He uttered quietly before his tie landed in his miso soup. "Huh!? Gah! This stupid, damn-"

"S-So, Lani!" Fuyumi quickly interrupted, clearly the buffer of the group. "How is it being a writer for the hero commission? Never a dull moment, I bet."

Mrs. Yaoyorozu chuckled quietly and whispered to her husband again, causing me to sigh and smile emptily.

For a woman who looks like she doesn't possess a single thought behind those eyes, she sure has a lot to say. Or, rather...whisper.

"Ah, you got that right. I've come to learn that heroes are quite the characters behind closed doors. They're also a lot more human than the public gives 'em credit for." I said, watching Endeavor ring out the miso soup from his knotted tie. "Yeah...."

"Hmph. To a fault if ya ask me." Endeavor said gruffly, ripping the tie clean off his neck before burning it to a crisp in his hand. "Back in my day-"

"No one asked-" Shouto sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"—Showed a single sign of weakness and bam!" Endeavor hit the table, causing Mrs. Yaoyorozu to flinch. "There go your legs."

I hummed and took another sip of my wine, admittedly taking the opportunity to show off a little, "Speaking from an almost experience, huh? Your clashfire Tokyo fight of '24 was definitely a close call. Almost as close as your infamous Nagasaki battle of '31. I venture to say that Divine Demon is still picking fire outta his brain as we speak. Ya know, if Tartarus allows him to use his hands."

Hah. Take that Momo, and Momo's mom. See, I don't just write smut all day. I'm a very civilized, professional, polite, journalist—so fuck off. Respectfully.

Endeavor's eyes lit up with a recount of his glory days before he grinned ferally. Now I wonder if Katsuki Bakugo learned it from him...

"Hah! Would you look at that? Girl knows her Endeavor history." The flaming hero gloated, turning to his children with a wagging finger of discipline. "You know, you three could learn from-"

"No." Shouto and Natsuo said simultaneously, both taking a synchronized slurp of noodles.

"Duh. What kinda journalist would I be if I didn't know the people I'm writing about?" I smirked, immediately recounting my article about Endeavor's breasts. "U-Uh—not that I've written anything about you. And definitely not about your tits."

"Huh!?" He yelled before Natsuo joined in.

"Well, if that's the case, I feel for you when it comes to writing about Shouto." He said, eyeing his younger brother a bit musingly. "I bet you can't get a word out of him, huh?"

I looked back at the handsome guy in question, seeing Shouto's eyes were already on me. He quickly glanced back down at his plate as if he wasn't listening so intently, taking a giant bite of rice and causing me to chuckle.

Heh, brat. I can tell he's waiting for me to say something about him.

"Eh, you'd be surprised." I smiled, wanting to tease him a bit. "Sometimes, I can't get the guy to stop talking."

Fuyumi gasped in surprise, gawking at her youngest brother, "What?? Are we talking about the same Shouto?!"

I bit down on my lip and grinned triumphantly as his cheeks tinged pink. It's not often he gets embarrassed.

Shouto sighed and gave me a light glare, but I could tell he wasn't really upset. He looked from Fuyumi to Natsuo as they eagerly awaited confirmation, trying to downplay the moment with a shrug of his shoulders. "She's.....she's just being dramatic." He rubbed the back of his neck, his stoicism cracking slightly at the soft smile that involuntarily curled at the corners of his lips.

Fuyumi placed a hand to her chest and let out a small 'awww', putting a hand on my shoulder before shaking me back and forth excitedly. "Well, she must be doing something right! I swear, I've never seen Shouto trending so much on social media these days. People have really fallen in love with his character written in Lani's point of view."

I couldn't help but smile at the praise. It's the first bit of positive feedback I've received since hero season started, and from someone in Shouto's family of all things. Definitely lessens the blow of Yuna's endless criticism.

"A-Actually." Momo quickly spoke over everyone, holding up a finger to get Fuyumi's attention. "Shouto's career didn't take off until they asked me to help. Our relationship has really sent him to the top of the charts."

Mr. Yaoyorozu snapped his fingers, chuckling heartily as he grinned at his daughter, "That you have, princess. That you have."

Fuyumi pursed her lips with a small 'oh', the same way Shouto always did, removing her hand from my shoulder and turning to the Yaoyorozus with a bright smile. "Wow! I didn't know that. I guess it's all a team effort then."

I tensed my jaw as Momo took the floor now, speaking about the achievements and opportunities she's created for Shouto's career. Blah, blah, Vogue. Blah, blah, producers blowing up his phone...

And, normally, I'm smart enough to just keep my mouth shut and let the heroes bask in the spotlight. That's the whole premise of my job, that's what I'm supposed to. And, up until this point, I've never had a problem with it.

But, I'm so damn tired of everyone always taking the credit they don't deserve. The hero commission. Yuna. Momo....

Because, no, this is not a team effort. It never was. It's the result of hard work from me, and hard work from Shouto. That's how I wished it stayed. Because, even if Shouto wasn't at the stardom level he's at now, we were getting there.

Just him and I.

And we were doing it slowly, because that's how he likes to do things. And, most of all, authentically and true to himself.

The plot has been lost when it comes to Shouto's career, and the more I don't push back, the more his accolades disappear behind Momo's spotlight.

No, he deserves better than being known as some girl's eye candy. I'm the only person who can advocate that.

With a clear of my throat, I sat up straighter and placed my empty wine glass on the table, quickly cutting in after Momo's suggestion of a 'Shomo' reality television show. Gimme a fucking break.

"Eh, I dunno." I waved her off, shooting the room a cheeky grin. "If I had it my way, Shouto and his personal relationship wouldn't even be a thing in the public eye."

Everyone stopped eating now, glancing my way and causing me to chuckle a bit warily.

Deep down, I knew I was potentially shooting myself in the foot right now. As Shouto's publicist, I'm supposed to present everything as a united front. That includes his relationship with Momo.

But, as his....not publicist, 'cause I dunno what else to call us....I just can't bring myself to stay quiet about this any longer.

Mrs. Yaoyorozu continued picking at her salad, chastising a polished laugh as she glanced me up and down, "And that's why you're an intern, sweetheart. Seems you haven't learned yet what it takes to build success. Don't worry, you'll get there."

Mr. Yaoyorozu chuckled and nodded, deeming the conversation over as he started to eat again. And, yeah, I wasn't an idiot. I knew better, and was well aware that was my warning to shut up.

But, if Momo wants a business dinner? I'll give her a damn business dinner.

So let's talk work...

I turned on my best charm, trying to sell a story as I focused my attention on the Todoroki family with one of my flashy smiles.

"Here's the deal. I've been really trying to channel Shouto's personal strengths over everything else." I explained, leaning back in my chair and gesturing with my hands. "Picture this—a career built on authenticity. I know, it's unheard of these days, especially in this line of work. But, I believe it's exactly what Shouto needs."

Momo looked at me blankly, and I could see the way her jaw was twitching as she gripped her chopsticks tighter. Clearly, she was pissed now.

However, I was in my zone, and also, admittedly desperate. Yuna had me on the chopping block every week for trying to give Shouto's reputation substance, and the Yaoyorozus clearly aren't a fan of me either.

But, surely....surely, Shouto's family has to agree with me and see reason.

Right now, I have no more power. I can feel my grasp on Shouto slipping into the hands of Momo and the hero commission with every passing second, and it won't take long before I'm pushed out completely.

I need to have someone on my side. Someone powerful and close to Shouto who can help give us back our voice.

"My goal is for Shouto's hero work and his relationship with Momo to be two separate things." I emphasized confidently, ignoring the burning gaze of Mr. Yaoyorozu. "I don't want him to be famous for his relationship, but rather, what he can do as a hero. I believe that's more important. And more permanent."

The room went silent and I gave Endeavor a confident nod, trying to ease the tension as I resumed eating. But, the truth was, I wasn't hungry in the slightest. I actually felt more sick to my stomach now than anything else.

What I just said was a really big risk. Before I was just a useless, annoying peon in the eyes of Mr. Yaoyorozu. But, now, with my ideas out in the open, I've officially just become his enemy.

Hopefully the Todorokis are on my side, otherwise, I'm definitely cooked now.

A swarm of anxiety buzzed around inside my system, but I kept my composure on the outside, remaining unwavering with my smile as I looked back at Endeavor for an answer.

"Hmph. I....like it." He concluded a few tense moments later, hitting the table harshly again with a feral grin.

Ohhhh, thank god. I was another second away from shitting myself on this white chair...

I laughed hesitantly with him, letting my eyes relax as I took another sip of my soup.

"Nicely played, kid." Endeavor pointed at me. "You know, I've always said the new generation of heroes these days are more influencers than protectors. I tell ya, this generation is too damn soft! Back in my day-"

"—Back in your day a hundred years ago." Shouto muttered again, taking a swig of his wine. "No one cares. Stop talking."

Endeavor's jaw dropped immediately, looking simultaneously appalled and hurt, "S-Shouto!!?" He exclaimed, causing me to snicker.

If one good thing came from this dinner, it's getting to catch a glimpse of Shouto in his natural element. You can certainly tell he's the youngest. He's got that bratty attitude down pat.

But, the fun was short lived as Mr. Yaoyorozu cleared his throat loudly—and definitely passive aggressively, causing the chatter to quiet down. I had a little bit of an 'oh shit' moment as he glanced my way, yet I simply smiled at him and continue eating.

I've been around the commission long enough to know an intimidation tactic when I see one. He can't fool me.

He let out a calm, heavy sigh for my lack of reaction and smiled coldly, "Regardless of what Miss Hidaka believes, it's clear that my daughter is a crucial part of your son's success, Enji. Saved him from scandal after walking out mid-speech at the fresh heroes banquet. Put her own career on the line for that. Could you imagine the social suicide if she hadn't helped?"

"Suicide?" Shouto said in confusion. "No one was in danger of dying-"

"You're lucky to have such a loyal boss, Miss Hidaka." Mr. Yaoyorozu narrowed his eyes at me. "I never did receive those release documents from you."

Another threat. That's two in less than a minute. Hero Commission scare tactics 101–the more threats one makes, the more they're trying to assert their dominance. And, not in the kinky fanfiction way.

Ah. Seems I've unnerved him a bit tonight. I can't stop now though, otherwise I'll look like an unreliable coward.

I hummed, setting my chopsticks down and looking Mr. Yaoyorozu straight in the eyes. "Mm. Sorry to disappoint, sir. But, I'm not going anywhere. Shouto and I started this journey together, and that's how we'll end it as well." I glanced back at those dual eyes from across the table. "I think...we make a good team."

Shouto was already looking at me, his gaze softening subtly from my words. He nodded, glancing down at his plate with an incredibly faint smile crossing his lips, "I...think so as well."

Fuyumi looked at him closely, blinking a few times in surprise before placing a hand to her chest again, "Aw, wow! That's really great, Shouto. It's so-"

"I wouldn't be so comfortable in your position, Miss Hidaka." Mr. Yaoyorozu's voice cut through the sweetness, lower and more stern that it was before. "It's nice you're trying to save face in the presence of company, but let's call it for what it is. I've been informed you're already on thin ice over there at the commission from your consistent bad habit of messing up. Make one simple misstep, and you'll be packing your bags. I'm sure you understand how important it is to keep my daughter happy for that reason."

A small smile crossed Momo's face now before she flipped her hair over her shoulders, continuing to eat peacefully.

Of course. Let daddy fight your battles for you. Ugh. Brat.

I drummed my fingers on the table, gesturing respectfully towards her lack of remorse, "Well, as you can see, respect is a two way street-"

"Not in your case." Mr. Yaoyorozu's voice was too strong now.

Shit. I'd pushed his false kindness to its limit, it seems. His eyes bore into mine now, and he'd stopped eating, keeping his fist tightly clenched on the table.

"Heroes are the protectors of the world, isn't that right, Enji?" He tried to win the hero back to his side. "And that trumps whatever it is you do behind your silly little computer, Miss Hidaka. You should be so grateful my daughter puts her life on the line to make sure you can sleep soundly at night. If she were to make as many mistakes as you have in her career, the world would have ended years ago."

"That's an exaggeration." Shouto chimed in surprisingly, looking at Mr. Yaoyorozu bluntly. "Momo hasn't been out in the field ever since chipping her nail during a rescue mission—over a year ago."

She gasped, dropping her chopsticks onto her plate, "They were almond shaped acrylics, Shouto-"

"You went to therapy for it-"

"If you had them, you'd understand!-"

"The point is..." Mr. Yaoyorozu got back on track, raising a brow at his daughter to quiet down. "Miss Hidaka isn't in the same league as the heroes in this room. She shouldn't try and pretend that she is."

Unintentionally, the topic struck a nerve inside me, because I'm very well aware of the gap that exists between Shouto and I. It's a gap that won't ever be filled, and that's something I've been mentally struggling with ever since we started getting more....personal.

We don't make sense, and I understand that. We aren't compatible, and everyone thinks this is a bad idea. It's dangerous considering we're both pulled in so many different directions—opposing directions that will never once align together.

And I fully understand that Momo is the right woman for him in terms of who he is, and what he does.

So, no, I don't need a reminder. If anything, I can think of less reasons why Shouto and I should actually be together.

All eyes were on me now, and my social anxiety had convinced me the entire room was picking me apart. Absentmindedly, I began digging into my thumbnail with my index finger, trying to deflect as best I could.

"Wasn't trying to pretend." I shrugged, giving Mr. Yaoyorozu a stiff smile. "I know my place—and that's ensuring the best for Shouto. I will always do what I think is best for him. Regardless of anyone who tries to threaten me into doing otherwise. A pretty cowardice move if you ask me. Sir."

Momo's father laughed now, deep in his chest, low and incredibly chastising. It seemed like I was back to being a nobody in his eyes. But I knew people like him well enough to know....that's just what he wanted me to think.

No, I'd taken it too far tonight by advocating for Shouto. I know that. But, still, I'd do it again. I'd do it as many times as I needed to so he could be heard.

"If you believe that was me threatening you, dear, then let me be the first to say, you are in for one rude awakening." Mr. Yaoyorozu mused darkly, smoothing out his suit with a composed smile. "Enji's right. Kids these days are too soft."

The dinner table fell silent once more, and I simply nodded in polite surrender. I'd said enough, and knew that adding any more fuel to the fire would no longer be considered 'professional.'

Fuyumi began to halfheartedly eat again before Momo's mother chided a laugh. "Yuto, dear, please." She said to her husband musingly. "Don't waste your breath on something so trivial, it's embarrassing. You're arguing with a girl doesn't even have a real job."

Ah. Well, isn't that a nice deja vu?

The words caught me off guard, causing the food to slip from my chopsticks. I didn't expect someone—a stranger no less, to pinpoint some of my deepest insecurities at a 'business' dinner.

It's no secret that work was always my escape. Because at work, I could kid myself into being strong, into pretending I actually meant something.

It's almost funny that, after everything that was said tonight, Mrs. Yaoyorozu's passing comment was the thing to finally rattle me.

But, that's only because....

Suddenly, I was extremely uncomfortable in this chair, picking at my thumbnail harder. My brain had become scrambled for any responses, trying to hold my composure as I glanced at Mrs. Yaoyorozu with a calm question, "And what do you do for work, ma'am? I'm curious."

She scoffed, and my heart skipped a beat at the mannerism, seeing my own mother sitting in that chair now, "I certainly don't exploit myself and the integrity of Japan's protectors into raunchy tabloid trash. Seriously, dear, I'm curious to know what your parents think of you doing this?"

Anddd there it is.

The simple mention of them had a cold sweat creeping up my neck. I know exactly what my parents think of this—of me. They couldn't be more disappointed I'm a measly intern, and they most definitely feel sorry for themselves.

With Raiga's career as an athlete completely over, they have no other children to be proud of. I'm sure that's very hard on them.

Wet warmth pooled at my thumb cuticle and I quickly lowered my hand into my lap, trying to wipe the blood away on the napkin. My adrenaline had been activated as I pictured the sheer disgust on my mother's face, a look I'd come to memorize all too well. It was excruciating, it felt like the stab of a million daggers puncturing my heart, and my palms started to get clammy.

But, if there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's the talent of masking. It wasn't easy in the beginning, being the expressive, stupidly emotional kid I was. I've mastered it now though, not daring to let a single piece of myself peek through ever, because I hated that person and so did everyone else...

My parents taught me that.

So I smiled confidently at Mrs. Yaoyorozu, giving a careless shrug as I lied through my teeth, "My parents are extremely supportive of what I do. I'm so lucky to have-"

Mrs. Yaoyorozu's laugh came out fuzzy in my ears, causing me to grip my chopsticks tightly. The sound was so chastising, so ridiculing....so familiar, it made my vision blur with dizziness. My head spun with anxiety riddled hysteria I kept buried at my core, trying to uproot itself in waves of devastation and self-loathing.

"Oh, I don't believe that for a second." Mom—Momo's mom....sighed in thorough amusement, seeming to have me all figured out. "No one wants to see their child, especially their daughter, end up in something so disgraceful."

I clenched the chopsticks tight enough for the wood to dig into my palms. The muscles in my body coiled up without my consent, causing my ribs to close around my lungs and ring them dry of any oxygen. It felt like I was chewing on sandpaper. And then...my fingers began to tingle with that familiar, horrible feeling I knew all too well.

Fuck.

It's been a long time since this happened....in public.

Suddenly, the room was closing in, with everyone's stares burning me alive. And, no longer did I have the luxury to simply just breathe.

I was losing the ability to keep my composure, unsure how my expressions were coming off to the others. I could feel Fuyumi's eyes on me, her voice coming out underwater as she tried to diffuse the situation, "O-Okay, I think we should-"

"All I know is that if my daughter turned out like you..." Mrs. Yaoyorozu drawled out pretentiously, "...I'd simply pretend she never existed."

"That's enough!" Shouto exclaimed angrily, quickly rising to his feet.

I'm sure the entire table was looking at him in surprise. It's rare that Shouto gets visibly upset, and it was actually the first time I'd seen it myself. But, I couldn't focus on that right now.

The chopsticks snapped in my hand, and suddenly, I realized I was suffocating. I was drowning beneath the surface, and no one could reach me. They never could when it got to this point.

But, even if there was a war happening inside my body, I rose to my feet calmly, giving Fuyumi a blank smile as my inner seams split me apart. The feeling to get out had become too unbearable. I didn't care where I went, I just needed to leave this kitchen.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to use the restroom." My body had gone on autopilot, unable to register the words coming from my mouth. "Where is it?"

"O-Oh, sure. It's by the-"

"Thanks." I nodded, unable to wait as I excused myself from the table without another word.