Lani POV:

Phew, this was tense...

Silence consumed the space between me, Shouto, Eiichi, and Momo as we walked into the banquet venue. It wouldn't have been awkward if there wasn't so much damn noise around us—with everyone and anyone chatting away so loud and heartily. No one else seemed to have a problem making friends with strangers tonight.

The crowd was massive as we tried to make it through the bustling entrance and towards the wide open space of tables. Shouto and Momo walked ahead of us—albeit, Shouto kept looking behind him so obviously towards me, reluctantly turning forward each time I waved him to do so.

Eiichi tried to hold onto my hand so the two of us could stick together, but I immediately ripped free from him, with my stubbornness causing me to fall back into the pool of people and get lost in the crowd.

"Shit." I sighed as bodies jostled me from all sides, trying to find my way out of the mess.

Shoving my way to the edge of the crowd, I remained standing next to a wall, surveying the area as best I could before my wrist was grabbed onto and dragged free from all the people. Instinctively, I let out a peep of surprise at the unexpected yank, swiftly pulled around the next corner.

Now, I was in a hallway—and while the sounds behind this wall had barely quieted down, there was no one in this part of the vicinity yet. It was just me against the wall, and whoever had dragged me, causing my eyes to trail upward and get a look.

"You didn't tell me you were bringing a date." Shouto said immediately.

His gaze was swirling with a million thoughts, and he kept one hand on my wrist—and, my god, he looked so incredibly handsome. He styled his hair exactly how I told him to, and that suit looked even better on him in this lightning. And....and...

And, we shouldn't be here. Not with all the paparazzis lurking around, and Eiichi, and Momo. This position looks compromising enough if someone were to catch us all alone in a random, empty hallway.

"Shouto? Weren't you just two steps ahead of me in the lobby? How did you get here—and, anyways, this is not the time to discuss this-" I dismissed, attempting to slide past him.

But, he gave my wrist a gentle squeeze that silently begged me to stay, and I was a damn sucker. Because that's exactly what I did, melting back against the wall with a sigh. He mirrored my breath, looking down at my wrist and acting like we had all the time in the world even though someone could catch us at any time.

"Is this why you didn't want to go with me to the banquet?" He asked, furrowing his brows like he was troubled. "Do you.....a-are you two...."

"Ew. God, no." I said a little too honestly, making a fake gagging noise. "We most definitely are not."

It was the truth, but the wrong answer as Shouto simply looked confused now, not knowing what expression his face should take in this unclear conversation.

"Then why are you here with him? Why....did you bring a...date?"

He said the last word like it was the plague, making me roll my eyes lightly, "Ugh. Shouto, c'mon. Why are you being like this right now? You have a date, too."

"She's not the date I wanted to bring." He countered, letting his eyes barely soften as he looked at my features. "You didn't give me a choice."

"I didn't really have a choice either." I said too much, quickly holding my tongue when it was already too late.

And now Shouto looked too interested—and also increasingly annoyed. I could tell just from his face that his brain was running too fast for him to keep up with, probably thinking of every possible scenario.

"What do you mean? Is he.....is he forcing you?" He uttered a little lower, short circuiting into reciting a hero textbook. "Non consensual acts can carry a sentence of at least ten-"

"Oh my god—this is not the time for you to start rambling." I face palmed. "Listen, he didn't force me-"

I didn't get to say any more once Shouto's hand was roughly yanked off me, and my heart jolted when he was shoved in the chest, slammed back into the nearest wall.

Oh no. This is what I was afraid of...

"Man, you just don't learn, kid." Eiichi drawled out in a simultaneous mixture of anger and smugness, brushing past me to walk over to Shouto. "Where do you get off trying to steal my date, huh?"

"Eiichi-" I seethed out, roughly grabbing his arm before he pushed me off.

Shouto wasn't fazed by the attack—but, he wasn't ever fazed by much, simply standing up straight and smoothing out his suit calmly once Eiichi approached him, "She doesn't want to be here with you. She said so herself." He said, boring his dual colored eyes into my ex coldly. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Oh Jesus. Can this get any worse?

Look, as much as I'd love for Eiichi to leave, he can't. He's my partner for the Mizuchi deals tonight, and I hate to say that I need him in order for this to be successful. I can't do it alone.

"Nooo, Shouto-" I attempted before Eiichi spoke over me.

"Yeah, well if I leave, my date's gonna be coming with me. Never too early to get a good fuck outta her, right? Oh, but judging by how desperately you're chasing my sloppy seconds, guess you wouldn't know anything about that, little man-" He was cut off as Shouto reached out and grabbed him by the collar.

My eyes widened slightly, admittedly taking aback by the sight. I'd never seen him react like that before. So impulsive. So emotional. It was so unlike the steady, and almost aloof persona that Shouto presents everyday.

And, yet, it was surprising how stoic he still looked even if his actions showed he was upset by the comment. All of the emotion showed in his darkened eyes only, and if it wasn't for the way he reacted so abruptly, you'd never know he was upset at all.

"I told you to leave." Shouto repeated once more, voice low and strong without an ounce of hesitation.

Eiichi on the other hand has never been one to have a good poker face, gritting his teeth as he attempted to pull Shouto's hand off his suit. And when Shouto's iron grip didn't budge, he resorted to his usual delinquent antics, sending an unexpected, cheap shot of a punch straight for Shouto's nose.

"Fuck—hey! Eiichi, don't!" I yelled in alarm.

Even if he's a hero, I've never really seen Shouto have to defend himself from true harm before. I worry about him.

But, it seemed he was more than capable of defending himself. He had more composure than me, keeping the same look on his face as he easily dodged the punch, using a few swift martial arts moves to grab Eiichi's arm and roughly twist it behind his back. Within a second, he slammed Eiichi forward into the wall, keeping his arm pinned behind his back and his body detained.

Damn...

The selfish bitch in me wants to laugh. I just knowww Eiichi was humiliated by that one.

But, I didn't get to say a thing as a voice behind me chimed in, utterly appalled at the sight, "Shouto!! W-What are you doing to Lani Hidaka's date!?" Momo gawked. "How could you—ohhh, this is so embarrassing and impolite!! What if someone sees?"

Fuck. Now this is getting really risky.

"Shouto." I uttered just out of Momo's earshot. "Please just let him go. I invited him. He's allowed to be here, okay. Please."

And, even if hesitating, Shouto released my date upon hearing my desperation—unintentionally humiliating him further as he unwrapped his twisted arm like a pretzel.

I sighed in relief and turned to Momo, about to make up an excuse for the unexplainable fuckery before the scuffling behind me ensued.

Ugh. Fucking boys...

Once again going for a cheap shot, Eiichi yanked Shouto backwards by his suit when his back was turned, and once again, Shouto defended himself, attempting to disarm my date a second time.

"Oh, for god's sake." I retorted sourly over Momo's scream, storming over to the bickering idiots before getting in the middle of their scuffle.

I did an age old trick I used to do on my brother, grabbing both of them by the ears before twisting harshly. The two boys immediately ceased their scuffle, groaning simultaneously in pain and wincing. They contorted into uncomfortable hunches to try and ease the pain as I dragged them forward with two fistfuls of ears.

"Alright. Enough of this. You're embarrassing the lady in the room." I stated with discipline, nodding to Momo as the lady in question. "And both of you are acting incredibly small dicked right now."

"Huh? But....my doctor says my penis is above the average size-" Shouto said, unable to say more when I twisted his ear harder.

"Okay—as much as that information does intrigue me, that is enough." I concluded, looking between the two like a couple of cats who just got sprayed with a cold hose.

Holding their ears for a few more moments, I finally lightened my grip, shoving both of them away, "Behave." I ordered, crossing my arms. "Or Momo and I will just date each other for the rest of the night. Got it?"

"But....I don't really want to date you though..." Momo trailed off nervously, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Now then—wait, really?" I uttered, giving a small, disapproving tut of my lips. "Damn. You are cold..."

Awkward silence filled the space as the four of us stood sporadic distances from each other, and the boys' suits remained wrinkled from their scuffle. I let out a small cough, trying to be the buffer in a situation that was unsalvageable.

"So...dinner." I tried to smooth over with my publicist smile. "This is a banquet, after all. We should probably find our table. Isn't it great that we're all sitting together?"

"Oh. That is great." Shouto said genuinely, missing the social cue of my voice that said it was most definitely not great.

But, the others seemed to gather it just fine, with Momo sighing and giving me a tired smile that couldn't have looked less excited, "Wonderful..."

*

The four of us piled back out into the hallway, and thankfully, it was less crowded than before. Shouto and Momo walked ahead of Eiichi and I, and I was relieved my two timing rat of an ex-boyfriend didn't try to hold my hand this time. He was too busy glaring daggers into the back of Shouto's head, no doubt thinking about how he'll get him back later for getting humiliated.

And the worst part is that Eiichi is stubborn. He doesn't forget things, and he doesn't let them go. He also doesn't like people who don't bend to his will, and that's the entire premise of Shouto's personality. It's why I never wanted them to meet. And who knows what Eiichi would tell Shouto one day just to 'get back' at me...

Him and I will have to have a talk later.

I sighed stressfully as we approached the gigantic posh dining room, feeling my ears perk up at the conversation that was happening at the table next to ours.

"All bags, purses, and wallets will be checked, folks!" The security guard said, grabbing Mount Lady's clutch. "We're trying to make sure no one's sneaking in any weapons, or anything illegal."

"Fuck." I uttered, intending to only get Eiichi's attention.

But, Shouto had eagle eyes and ears as he immediately turned around as well, zeroing in on Eiichi's hands to ensure they were kept to himself.

"What is it?" Shouto asked, now gaining the attention of Momo as well.

Sweat crept up the back of my neck as the security guard was already almost finished checking Mount Lady's bag, eyeing our group as we were clearly next on his list.

To have this entire operation and my life taken down by a man in jeans that have coffee stains would be simultaneously pathetic and hilarious.

"Oh, I just remembered," I tried to hold back the waver of my voice, gripping my clutch tighter as the security guard handed Mount Lady back her bag. "I really have to hit the restroom before we sit down."

"I'll go with you." Shouto said before Eiichi scoffed.

"To a woman's restroom? And you think I'm a creep." He grumbled before Momo joined in.

"Oh, I think I'll go with you then, Lani. I'd like to touch up my makeup." She said cluelessly as the security guard began walking over to our group now.

Fuck.

"I don't suggest that." Eiichi said to Momo, eyeing the security guard. "She's gotta go number two. She's been telling me the whole way here. Truly explosive."

He instinctively attempted to shove me out of the group and towards the bathroom, but now a new challenge had presented itself as Shouto reached out quicker and intercepted Eiichi's arm, looking calm and collected.

"Don't touch her like that." He simply said, causing Eiichi's jaw to tense.

But, he was smart for once as he swallowed down the fight I know he wanted to start, retracting his arm quickly—only for the direness of the situation and gesturing me towards the bathroom with his head instead.

"I'll only be a few seconds." I backed up quickly, cutting Momo off as she tried to speak again. "Your makeup looks really good. You don't need to touch it up."

I disappeared back into the crowd at the same moment the security guard reached our group, sighing heavily with nerves. All it takes is one person tonight to ruin this entire thing with the Mizuchi, my life, and also my brother's life. Surviving unnoticed seems impossible—much less, putting myself on the line and actually selling.

But, I don't have a choice. I need to pull myself together...

Okay, it's not my first time at an event like this. I know exactly how it works. Security only does these 'bag checks' before the banquet actually starts. Once the banquet begins and the television cameras are on, I'm sure they have strict instructions to remain in the background as much as they can.

So, I just need to stay out of their line of sight until then.

I quickly shoved people out of the way as I headed for the bathroom, disappearing into the same hallway I'd been in with Shouto earlier. It was still empty, and I had no idea where the bathroom actually was around here, but I assumed if I kept walking I'd find it.

I prepared to turn right down the next corner, but after seeing the feet of another security guard coming in that direction, I made a sharp left instead, trying to avoid being seen.

This feels like Pac-Man, except I'm the one getting eaten...

Miraculously, I made it to the bathroom, entering it quickly before slamming the door. Unfortunately it wasn't a single stall, so I picked one of the stalls at the very end, ensuring every single one was empty along the way.

Once inside, I closed the toilet and sat atop the seat, opening my clutch immediately to check the pills. There's no cameras inside the bathroom—I mean, there shouldn't. That'd be weird as fuck.

So, I could do whatever I wanted in here—which only seemed more enticing once I pulled out the pill cutter, remembering my plans to cut the pills in half before they ended up in some stupid heroes' possession.

Might as well pass the time before the banquet starts.

My heart began to pound as I began opening the little bags and cutting the pills atop my dress, brushing off the residues of white powder that dusted it after each time. I'd only gotten about halfway through before my phone rang, quickly pulling it out and answering it without looking.

I have no doubt it's Shouto asking about my whereabouts, and now I'll have to say I'd gotten something embarrassing, like Eiichi's foreshadowing hint of 'explosive diarrhea.'

"Man, you know, it's seriously coming outta me like lava." I said casually, cutting another pill in half.

"Are you inside the event?" An unfamiliar voice asked lowly, causing my heart to jump in alarm—so much show, I dropped the next pill I intended to cut, watching it roll under the stall next to mine.

I cursed mentally and looked at the caller I.D. too late, only now seeing it had the name of 'private' instead of Shouto. Which means...

It's the Mizuchi.

"Oh—uhhh, yeah, I'm inside." I said a little too unnerved, continuing to cut pills as quietly as possible.

But, I stopped altogether when the other line remained silent, balling my sweaty fists once the person finally spoke, "Why did you go back to the bathroom?" The dealer asked, causing my eyes to widen.

Because if they knew I went to the bathroom, it means they somehow knew already that I was here. It also means...they're somehow watching me.

But, how?

Swallowing thickly, I quickly looked up at the corner to the ceilings, ensuring there were truly no cameras before hiding my nerves behind a cocky chuckle, "Why do you think? Want me to take a picture of the toilet for evidence? Not a pretty sight, I must warn ya."

As expected, the dealer didn't laugh, letting another uncomfortable silence ensue before speaking, "Leave the bathroom and get selling within the next two minutes." He said before the line went dead.

It was an order, spoken with threat.

I felt sweaty and unkempt as I looked down at the mess of white powder on my dress and all over my hands, letting my head hang between my shoulders in defeat.

Everything is so much worse when you suddenly have something to lose.

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A/N:as always yall can read ahead on patreon. There's some reallyyy juicy stuff on there as of late.