A/N: maybe you guys notice that Shouto's POVS have a lot more monologue over dialogue. This is because he has a hard time communicating out loud, so a lot of his personality takes place in his head! He'll be thinking a whole scenario and end up not saying any of it 😂 so just pay close attention to his inner thoughts to understand how his relationship will progress with Lani 💜

VOTES AND COMMENTS GIVE ME LIFE!

Shouto POV:

Text Message From: The Woman.
Meet me in ten minutes
12:53pm.

I sighed tiredly before pocketing my phone, looking up at the clock in the cafe window.

1:01pm.

I've only been here one time with Midoriya and Bakugo. It was after our shift and we'd been on this side of town.

Midoriya suggested it because it looked 'sweet.' I wasn't sure how a brick building could look 'sweet,' but he did and I'd follow him into fire if that's where he wanted to go.

Midoriya always knows best.

I didn't really remember anything about the cafe. But, that was before I knew The Woman worked here—and that was before she asked me to meet her here today.

I always filter out unnecessary things, but suddenly I feel my mind focused and living in the moment, actually reading the sign that was plastered to the top of the building...

Sakura Cafe.

"Sakura..." I mumbled under my breath, feeling the word roll off my tongue.

I don't usually stop to pay close attention to my background, unless there's a villain lurking nearby.

It's a nice name. I...think?

The door opened with a soft jingle when I walked inside, instantly hit with a waft of freshly made food.

It smells like pastries, coffee, and cinnamon.

The place was pretty empty. Only one older lady sat in the corner with cake and tea, reading her book in silence. It's definitely more comfortable than the bar The Woman took me to the other night. Not so loud.

Like I said, I didn't really pay attention to the cafe the first time, but now I couldn't help but look around in surprise at a pretty obvious detail I didn't notice before.

Everything...is so....so....

pink.

The tables are shaped like cherry blossoms. The wallpaper, too. There's little decorations in the shapes of flowers and stuff. Even the lights had a soft dim of pink. The music was soft and cutesy.

It's weird because The Woman herself is so...dark.

She always dresses in black clothes and she doesn't seem like a 'pink' type—whatever that means. I'm not so sure myself. It makes me curious as to why she chose to work here.

Because of that, it was pretty easy to spot her. She was sitting at a table in the corner—it was a really small table. With her sitting there, suddenly it felt smaller than the others, like there would barely be enough room for us to keep our distance once I sat down.

She hadn't noticed me yet, leaning back in her chair as she scrolled on her phone. The dark colors of her clothes contrasted obviously against the soft pastels surrounding her. But, it wasn't in a bad way.

Somehow, it all made sense even if I didn't understand it. With her frayed copper shirt and her black, baggy jeans. The jewelry around her neck and on her fingers. The sun streamed in through the window to her left side, lighting up the black and blonde tips of her hair.

Suddenly, my chest stirred again, causing me to graze it softly as the stutter of my heartbeat happened all over again.

Why am I taking in so many unnecessary details? My chest hurts. I always say she's bad for my health. One day, I'll just collapse because of her. Would she even care?

With a deep inhale to catch my breath I didn't know I'd lost, I slowly walked over, causing her light pink eyes to glide up from her phone.

Half lidded and dark with makeup, her gaze opened brighter once she caught sight of me, clicking her phone closed before sitting up straighter.

"Oh, hey. You made it." She grinned, looking at the flower clock on the wall in front of her. "With one minute to spare, too. Pretty impressive."

With her foot, she lightly kicked out the spare chair adjacent to her, signaling that was where she wanted me to sit.

There weren't any other chairs around anyways, so I assumed so. But, still, being adjacent to her rather than sitting across from her...it makes the table even smaller. It makes the space closer.

Normally, I'd drag the chair to my preferred distance, not caring about weird looks or 'hurt feelings,' as Midoriya would probably call it. The legs of the chair would probably screech against the floor, but I wouldn't care about that either.

But, for some reason, I didn't do that...slowly sliding into the seat, suddenly feeling the warm essence of her presence sinking into my left side where she so closely was.

Is it hot in here? Does Sakura Cafe not have air conditioning?

My heart thumped faster against my sternum now. Still steady, but just elevated, getting my blood pumping more actively into my body.

It actually woke me up. I didn't realize I'd been pretty tired before.

"I was right up the street when you texted me." I said, keeping my gaze towards the frilly table. "Already on this side of town for work."

I couldn't look at her and I didn't know why. But, for some reason, I wanted to.

"Really?" She scooted a little closer, resting one of her elbows atop the table. "Was there a villain around here?"

The soft clatter of porcelain filled the space before it entered my space, looking down to see a hot cup of green tea being pushed my way.

Oh. I like green tea. Did she know that? Or was she just guessing? Does it really matter?

Now, I looked over at The Woman as she settled the green tea into my space, seeing her hopeful grin.

She wanted me to drink the tea. I think. I'm not good at picking up on silent cues.

Clearing my throat, I turned my attention back to the tea, picking up the cup and muttering over the rim, "It was a big villain."

It wasn't actually that big. I don't know why I felt the need to make the situation sound more dramatic than it was. I've never cared about exaggerating.

I didn't know how many details she was looking for. So, I just left it at that.

She let out a small 'ooo' of interest, scooting close enough to where her knee brushed against my chair.

"Did you get him?"

"Of course."

"Good. Cause I live right there." She said, gesturing to the building out the window. "I can't afford for a monster to come crashing through my window."

It was something she said in passing, but I couldn't help but look out the window in curiosity, seeing the big apartment building on the other side of the street staring back at me.

So, that's where she lives? I see. Is it a ground floor apartment? Or something higher up? That's about twenty minutes from my apartment by train. If I wanted to go there, it would probably be best to go during the later part of the day as the trains are always crowded in the morning.

....I don't know why that was necessary to think about. It's not like I plan to go there anyways.

I had a lot of thoughts in my head. More than my mouth had the capacity to say out loud. Instead, I nodded in acknowledgment and sipped my tea, eyeing the line of pastries on the cherry blossom table.

She was either watching me or sensed the topic of the pastries should enter the conversation now, because at that moment, she lazily turned her attention to them as well.

"Oh yeah. I did say I'd buy you something if you showed up, remember?" She said, gesturing to the three pastries lined up in front of me. "You seemed really interested in them when we spoke on the phone the other day, so I figured I'd get you one."

"But, there's three?" I inquired genuinely confused, causing her to shrug.

"Well, I didn't know which one you'd want. You said you liked strawberries and cream on the phone, but maybe you weren't in the mood for that one today. Pick your favorite."

My...favorite?

She bought all three pastries with me in mind? With my likes and preferences occupying her thoughts?

Oh.

No one besides Midoriya's ever done that for me before. And even then, Midoriya never gives me so many options. He usually picks for me because he knows I don't really know which one's the best...

I....hm....

I studied each pastry, furrowing my brows in focus as I tried to pick the best one.

She said to pick my favorite, but I don't eat this stuff that often. I didn't eat it as a child either. Never.

I would have liked to though.

"I...you bought them." I said after a few indecisive moments. "Which one do you want?"

I'd rather she just make the decision, so I don't have to-

"I like all three. Go on. It's okay." She nodded patiently, staring at the pastries as she waited for me to pick one.

Realizing I wouldn't be able to sit back and have the choice picked for me, I sighed softly, stroking my chin and eyeing each dessert as if it were a life or death situation.

I'd rather fight a villain than hand to make a decision about this.

I don't really have an opinion. Honestly, I don't on many things. Things I probably should.

Finally, I settled on the one in the middle. It was closest within my reach-

"Heh. That one's my favorite, actually." The Woman mused, propping her chin in her elbow as she watched me pick up the bananas and cream pastry.

What? Didn't she just say she liked all three...?

"Oh." I muttered, trying to hand her the pastry before she waved me off.

"No, no, no. I didn't mean I wanted it. I was just stating something. In passing. I like it, too. We have something in common—that's all." She clarified, intentionally speaking a clear language I'd be able to understand.

But, she didn't do it rude or impatiently. Actually, it was the opposite. She didn't seem to mind having to explain it to me.

"Okay." I uttered, hesitantly bringing the pastry back over my plate now.

So, she likes bananas and cream. Actually, she doesn't just like it. It's her favorite. She likes it even more than the strawberries and cream one she had the other day. I wonder if she also has this pastry with her vanilla latte with cream on top? Or maybe that coffee order isn't her favorite either. She says she has two coffees per day at a minimum. Her blood is filled with enough caffeine to kill her. She...

...ugh. Stop...

Starting to become annoyed with myself, I took a bite of the pastry, feeling my brain hyper fixated on how it would taste since The Woman said it was her favorite flavor.

Wow. It's good. I wonder if it tastes the same to me as it does to her.

An unintentional hum sounded from my throat as I chewed through the layers of cream and banana. I never thought I was someone who enjoyed sweet things, but then again I never really ate sweet things either because I wasn't allowed.

It's actually really good...

"Does it taste okay?" The Woman murmured, seeming interested in the way I ate.

I nodded curtly, unable to find her gaze as I simply gestured to the remaining desserts with my eyes.

"You said you'd take one, too. Are you not hungry?"

My words almost seemed to remind her as she snapped her attention towards the desserts now, slowly reaching her hand out for one.

I watched carefully to see which pastry she'd take, seeing her fingers close around a raspberry filled one.

She didn't even take the strawberries and cream as a second choice? Is that flavor even in her top three? Does that mean raspberries and cream is her second favorite flavor?

Slowly, I peered my eyes towards her as she brought the pastry to her mouth, impressed with the generous bite she took out of it.

It was bigger than mine.

The powdered sugar and whipped cream smudged the corner of her mouth—and the tip of her nose, causing her to let out a soft, muffled chuckle as she reached for a napkin.

But, while she did so, she used the tip of her tongue to clean up the mess on her mouth in the meantime, gliding it along the corner of her lip until the sticky white substance coated her tongue.

Suddenly, the pastry tasted sweeter in my mouth, accidentally swallowing a chunk of banana whole and almost choking.

"Is it....is it good?" I blurted out unintentionally, causing her to nod in agreement.

Using the blush colored napkin, she wiped the remaining mess from her face, setting the pastry down on the plate before scooting out her chair.

"Ah. I forgot to get myself some tea." She said, about to stand up before my mouth moved without my consent.

"You can have some of mine."

She can? I don't usually like sharing stuff like this. Not even with Midoriya...

Normally, I'd just take it back and retract the offer if I didn't mean it. But, for some reason, my lips refused to move.

I was curious to see what she'd say.

"Are you sure?" She asked before I abruptly slid my little cup over to her.

"I don't remember which side I drank out of." Was all I could think to say, causing her to chuckle.

"It's okay. I don't mind."

She doesn't mind? What does that mean? Which part doesn't she mind? Sharing a cup? Or drinking from the same side I did? Or me in general?

There's a lot of things she could have meant.

Her soft lips slowly closed over the rim and sipped, instantly making my mind try to remember if I also drank from that side. But, I really couldn't remember. I wasn't paying attention.

Not that it matters. She said she didn't mind, so who cares...

Her throat bobbed softly with each swallow, causing my eyes to instantly veer away from her for some sort of privacy.

The back of my neck pricked with heat, and I don't know why, but it felt like I was looking at something I shouldn't.

With a quenched sigh of content, I heard the cup clatter back onto the little tea plate a few moments later, turning my head back towards her once I knew she was finished.

"So, how are you feeling after last night, Mr. Popular?" She mused, leaning further into her propped elbow.

I raised a brow of confusion. "Mr. Popular?"

"You know, making new friends."

"Oh." I suddenly remembered, feeling the events of last night slowly coming back to me. "After the girl from the bar and I exchanged numbers, she messaged me earlier today."

The Woman's brows raised slightly at the words, looking surprised mixed with another emotion I couldn't understand.

"Really? What did she say?"

The reminder of that particular text message caused me to shrug with a heavy amount of disinterest.

"I don't know. I didn't read it. I don't usually respond to text messages." I said honestly, looking down at the support brace on my wrist.

The Woman hummed with curiosity, peering over at me with a side glance. "Maybe she wants to hang out."

Her voice sounded neutral. It didn't seem like she was against the idea, but also not totally supporting it.

Regardless...

"I don't have any interest."

She pressed her lips together and nodded, absentmindedly reaching her hand over to my wrist brace.

I watched her fingers lazily fiddle with a stray thread of the fabric separating the armor from my skin, not feeling the need to push her away.

In the time I've known her, I've come to realize she can be a very touchy person. I'm not usually a person who likes to be touched.

My ex-girlfriend almost never touched me because she knew that. My friends rarely touch me for the same reason.

But...

For some reason, I don't mind The Woman's touches. They never feel intrusive or uncomfortable. Instead, I get curious. Why is she touching me....and what is she going to do next?

Her fingers are soft. The touches are so subtle sometimes, my brain isn't satisfied.

She sighed softly as she continued twirling her finger atop the brace on my wrist. Her shoulders also slumped and her face fell.

That must mean something. Right?

I don't usually pick up on those behaviors with other people. I blame it on the fact she's so close to me. I can see every single thing on her face from this angle. I'm sure if I was this close to others, I'd notice their strange change of behaviors, too.

"What?" I asked bluntly, not knowing how to phrase the thoughts I had in my head.

She didn't seem to mind, gathering I was trying to ask what was wrong.

"Nothing. I just..." She mumbled almost with a pout, causing the stutter in my chest to skip another beat. "I'm supposed to write my first article about you tonight, and I....well, honestly? I don't really know what to say."

I nodded slowly to her words, watching her black painted nails continue to flick the loose threads of my uniform.

"Oh." I said, fiddling with the tea spoon with the hand she wasn't occupied with.

Something about her sentence......bothered me...

Why doesn't she have anything to say about me? Am I....boring?

I waited for her to continue talking because that's usually what she does. I didn't realize I'd actually grown comfortable with her always talking, finding myself listening to all of her words. Even if I don't understand all of them, I actually want to hear them.

But, she didn't say anymore. So, I wracked my brain, digging through every possible thing I could to get her to talk again.

I don't know what to say. I'm....I don't usually—Midoriya always does the talking when we hang out. Bakugo, too. Whenever there's a silence, I don't usually care enough to fill it.

But, I want to know more. So, I'm going to really try and think of something.

"Well....what...um..." I tried to converse like a normal human being, unsure how in the world people do this so easily. "What do you...usually write about?"

That was a question. And, it was actually one I was genuinely curious about.

She shrugged her shoulders and stopped fiddling with my brace, draping her fingers loosely over my wrist as she looked up at me with a weak smile.

"Nothing worth reading."

'Nothing worth reading' sounds like it means 'nothing important' and I don't think that's painting her work in a very positive light. Does she not like what she writes? Is it because she's not good at it?

My list of personal questions about this woman grew more by the second, but all I could manage was...

"The hero commission is considered to be very prestigious so they must not believe that's true."

"When you're an intern like me, it's a little different." She said with a voice of defeat. "I tend to write about pretty shallow stuff."

My brows furrowed and I instinctively opened up my shoulders more and rotated my body in towards hers.

"Shallow? I don't understand what you mean." I said honestly, deciding to finally voice some of my internal questions out loud.

I didn't worry she'd become impatient about it either. I don't think she's that kind of person.

"Appearances. Attraction." She explained clearly, turning her frame in towards mine.

Her pink eyes looked up at my face, eyeing the corner of my mouth with a soft chuckle of amusement.

"For example, if I wrote a shallow article about you..." She murmured, slowly lifting her thumb towards my mouth. "I'd start by talking about your eyes. They're beautiful."

With curiosity and something else wracking into my chest, I let her hand get closer, waiting for the moment I'd feel her skin touch mine.

Something ignited in my spine when it finally happened, sending an addicting jolt of that something up my body as her thumb gently brushed the corner of my lip.

Goosebumps prickled atop my skull as her hand pulled back almost as quickly as it came, taking the small dab of whipped cream that apparently had been on my face.

Oh.

I don't usually get embarrassed. But...that...that feels like it should be embarrassing. Right? I had food on my face. In front of her.

Awkwardly, my hand came up pointlessly to wipe whatever was left on my mouth, watching her wipe her thumb on the napkin.

My head was reeling with a million different thoughts. Between the touch and her words about my 'beautiful eyes,' I decided to just randomly pick one thing to focus on. Two would become overwhelming.

"Why do you always do that?" I uttered a little quieter, watching the corners of her lips prick with a smile.

"What?"

My mouth instinctively opened to speak, and I sensed it would be another random comment that didn't allow any of my internal thoughts to form into words.

So, instead, I closed my lips for a moment and reflected on what I wanted to say, trying to get the genuine question out as best I could.

"You just....you always say I'm...handsome and beautiful." I almost muttered, ignoring the heat that tickled the back of my neck. "Is that you doing the joking thing again?"

She laughed at that, using her free hand to mask her smile the same way she did last night.

I wish she wouldn't do that. Because then I can't see it.

"No. I'm being serious." She said once she'd composed herself, looking me dead in my confused eyes with her next words. "It's not a secret you're attractive, Shouto."

I could feel my pupils widening a bit at her words, quickly breaking her gaze with hopes she didn't notice.

She says it as a fact. But whose fact is it, exactly? Hers? Or just a general fact of life?

How can she just say stuff like that? Throwing out things that would make most people blush? It's just....she's just....

Her perfume filled my nostrils as the air condition of the cafe whirred on. I'm already coming to memorize that specific scent of flowers.

"Come on." She continued lightly, sounding just a little curious. "I bet all the girls at university have a crush on you."

"I really don't notice." I admitted honestly, slowly finding my gaze back towards her.

"Girls?"

"Attraction."

She nodded in understanding. Her fingers twitched around my wrist and the blanket of warmth from her hand was comforting.

"Is there anything you find attractive in a person?" She asked, causing me to once again answer honestly.

"I never stopped to think about it."

It's true. I've always been so focused on my own goals. On becoming a hero. I never cared to think about anything else. Nothing ever caught my interest enough to make me stop and think about it.

She nodded and I watched her lips, waiting for them to move again and continue the conversation. It wasn't until she didn't that I realized it was actually a conversation that made me quite curious. About what? I don't...I don't really know. But...

"Maybe you can...." I chimed in, watching her gaze find my face in my peripheral vision. "I don't know....give me some examples."

"Hm?"

I don't think I asked that right. I'm not even sure what I'm trying to ask myself...

But, I didn't know how else to phrase it. The words came out on instinct, not able to match the thoughts in my head I didn't understand. Giving up, I simply shrugged my shoulders in a way that probably looked disinterested.

She didn't seem bothered though, starting to figure me out as a smile tugged at her lips.

There wasn't any lipstick on them today. Just chapstick. Her natural color is a little rosier than I imagined. Not that I imagined it at all-

"I mean, I guess I could tell you what I'm attracted to and you just see if these same qualities in a person interest you. Wanna do it that way?" She suggested, taking another sip from my tea cup.

For some reason, her words scratched the right part of my brain. The part I couldn't seem to figure out. The part I couldn't understand and form into my thoughtful words.

With a nod, I uttered an agreement, "Okay."

"Alright." She nodded, looking around the practically empty cafe in thought. "Um....let's see...."

She toggled with her lip ring as she did so, the tip of her tongue lightly moving it back in forth in a way that had me mesmerized.

I can't imagine what it's like to have a piece of metal there. I wonder what it feels like.

I really wonder what it feels like...to...

My mouth became more damp the longer I watched. My tongue began to tingle before I was swallowing more often.

"I really like good listeners." She said after a few moments, lightly gripping my wrist like she was nervous. "And....people who are kinda awkward—but...in a cute way. I don't like those loud, arrogant types, you know. Oh, and I love smiles and light touches...and..."

She kept her eyes to the table, fiddling with the rosy pink napkin with her black painted nails.

It's interesting. She seems so overly confident and careless when you first meet her. It annoyed me a lot. But, once she starts talking about herself, she gets more...I don't know....shy?

Does she not talk about herself very often? Why not? There's a lot of things to say.

"Um. I...I..." She continued, hesitating on the next word with a soft, humorous groan. "I kind of like....compliments. It doesn't have to be anything big. But, just something like—I don't know. You get what I'm saying, right?"

"No." I said with blunt honesty, causing her to lightly face palm against my arm with a laugh.

The ends of her hair tickled my forearm. It was soft and it smelled just like her perfume with just a hint of shampoo.

It was a really nice smell.

"Ah, of course not." She mumbled against my arm, sending hot puffy breaths onto my skin with each word. "Well, just forget that one."

I didn't want to forget that one though. It seemed important, because what kind of compliments is she talking about? What separates a 'big' compliment from a 'small' one? Does she get compliments very often? From who?

I'm starting to learn she stops talking when she's trying to end a specific conversation with me. She stopped talking just now, and I think that means she won't elaborate any further.

But...I actually....I'm not done talking about it.

"Can you give me another example?" I asked pretty straight forward, surprising myself with my vocal interest.

I don't usually ask a lot of questions. I either make assumptions about people being someone's love child, or I wait for them to tell me something I'd been wanting to know.

But, I had a lot of questions—all of them about this girl specifically. This girl, whose name I find myself wanting to say...whose name I still remember very clearly, but still can't say—even in my head—for some reason.

It still makes me feel embarrassed and I don't know why. It gives me a funny feeling in my chest and I don't understand it.

"Well—we're talking a lot about me right now." She mused, lifting her head from my arm. "The purpose of this is to get to know you."

I almost forgot that was supposed to be the purpose. Actually, I'd completely forgotten. Who cares about getting to know me? I would rather learn more about her because I have so many questions building—and her hair's a little messy right now from having her head down just a moment ago. But, still, it all makes sense-

"Did any of those qualities I just mentioned sound attractive to you?" She interrupted my thoughts.

At the same moment, her eyes caught on the sun that peeked in through the window, looking warm, and pink, and...almost glowing.

Suddenly she felt closer. The space was already quaint and quiet, but I couldn't even remember what the layout of the cafe looked like anymore, only able to memorize and hyper focus on every single aspect of her face.

She has a little beauty mark under her right eye. It suits her. Her skin is smooth, except for a small scar near her right eyebrow. Her hair isn't naturally two colors. She dyes the lighter parts. I can tell because the black roots are barely starting to show through the blonde.

And all of it suits her. With her makeup and her outfit. Her baggy jeans and old band t-shirt, a band I've never heard of, but suddenly have the urge to go listen to their music if she likes them enough to wear their shirt.

It all fits perfectly. With her. It looks like every part of her was meant to be exactly where it should.

What were we talking about again? Attraction? Oh. I still don't know what I'm attracted to. I was too busy looking at her to think about anything else. She's too distracting.

So, I'll just say...

"I think so." My words came out blunt and almost confused.

She chuckled at my generic answer, fidgeting softly in her seat. Her knee brushed mine under the table with her movement, her ankle lightly knocked against me, too.

"You think? Ah, Shouto. You are a tough nut to crack." She mused. "But, somehow, I do feel a little inspired now."

The warmth of her knee against mine caused my lungs to suddenly shrink in size. I didn't feel like I was getting enough oxygen. Is it normal for a person's knee to be this warm?

"What are you going to say about me in the article?" I asked, having become a person of endless questions today for the first time in my life.

It's rare I ever engage in a conversation as much as I have today. I was more curious than I'd like to admit. But, I really did want to know. Whatever she wrote on the page, it meant I'd get a look at what was inside her head. What she's been thinking about me all this time.

I can't ever seem to figure out what she's thinking. That article would let me know.

Actually, any piece of her writing would allow me to read what rests inside her head.

"Nothing bad." She winked before her knee nudged deeper against mine. "You'll know soon enough anyways. It's gonna be public."

I didn't want to know 'soon.' I wanted to know now...

But, my brain wasn't conditioned to be this involved in conversations. I'd lost my streak in thinking of any more questions, sighing in annoyance with myself and simply nodding.

Her teeth traveled to her bottom lip, lightly taking it between them with a grin of determination.

"You and I will win this hero season, Shouto. Together, we will do this." She encouraged, lazily lifting her touch from my wrist.

Her hand closed into a fist, causing me to mirror her actions before knocking my fist against her own.

Her brows raised in a bit of surprise as our hands opened up against each other's now. Unlike the first time, the tips of our fingers barely intertwined.

"You remembered." She murmured, pressing her hand a little more into my own.

Her fingers were smaller than mine, allowing the top of her palm to fit perfectly in the divot of my own

"You said it's our thing. It didn't seem like something I should forget." I said honestly, feeling my words come out just a little softer.

My heart pulled in my chest as her smile perked just a little wider, glad to see she didn't cover it with her hand this time.

There's no reason to. It's a nice smile.