Votes and comments are appreciated

Lani POV:

The dark circles under my eyes spoke for themselves as I prepared for my follow up meeting with Yuna.

I'd done my job, and perhaps a little too well, as Shouto successfully passed the test of seducing a woman. So much so, I was prepared to fuck him on my couch last night as if we didn't have anything to lose. That earns him an A+, right?

Hell, maybe even an A++, because bonus points to his clueless face for creeping into my late night fun session—immediately turning it so un-fun when the truth revealed itself during post nut clarity. The bitter truth that I'm not just attracted to Shouto, but I have actual feelings for him.

It's safe to say I didn't get much sleep last night. And not for a kinky reason either which is a damn crime. 

I lied awake all night after that, staring at the ceiling. Waiting for the feelings in my heart to go away. To blow away like dust and prove to myself it wasn't true. But, the more I thought about it—the more I thought about him, I realized the only thing I proved was that I wanted Shouto in my bed at that very moment. I wanted all of him, and that just wouldn't do.

And, after lying awake all night and getting ready for work, I hated the way I couldn't stop looking at my phone, waiting for his call like some giddy schoolgirl, wondering when he'd text me. Ugh.

He never did, and once again, he never had reason to. Not after I practically showed him my tits and then kicked him out of my apartment. He's probably finding out how to switch publicists right now, trying to find a way to get me out of his life for good. Which is honestly probably for the best. For both of us.

I don't know how this happened. I've never strayed so far from the original job and let my feelings blossom out of control. It's not like me. I hate heroes—or, I always did.

But, Shouto is different...

No. Enough. This is ridiculous. We're just spending a lot of time together. That's all this is. Late nights. Weekends. Weekdays. Long hours. I mean...of course we're gonna bond a little, right? It's not weird, and it's definitely not serious...

A headache pierced my temple as I remained in the meeting room, groaning tiredly as I tried to get myself back on track. Work. Yes, work. That's the whole point of all of this. It's the only reason Shouto and I are even in contact. Because I want that promotion, and I need him to do it.

I attempted to force the vulnerable thoughts out of my head as I rapidly typed up the last of my notes for Yuna. She'd be here any minute, and she wanted the summary of our progress last night on her desk by midnight. It's only...seven hours later.

But, it takes longer to type out a report when you have to omit certain things. Almost everything about last night, to be exact.

I can't tell her about how handsome he looked in that shirt. Or the way his eyes pierced into my soul. Or, how about the way he touched me so gentle, yet intimate. How his lips rolled along my neck, igniting me deeper into lust, until we'd both become one. The way his mouth dangled within my reach, so willingly, so ready for me to close the distance and kiss him-

The door flew open and I immediately came out of my thoughts, eyes widening at the questionable paragraph of my inner thoughts that had somehow made its way into the page. I quickly backspaced on my laptop at the same moment Mai sat down next to me, letting out a suffocating breath I didn't know I was holding.

God, what is with me? Rookie mistake. I clearly learned nothing from the smut incident.

"Hi, Lani. Have a good evening?" The pink curled girl smiled artificially, poking the sleep deprived agitation in me instantly.

Usually, I'm good about playing Mai's catty little games. But, today, I don't have it in me.

"Please. As if you care." I grumbled sarcastically, rarely attempting to not engage as I continued typing up my notes.

And she noticed, only making her smile a little more devious. "Ooo. Seems like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. What could you possibly have been doing that made you lose sleep, Hm?" She asked.

I didn't know what she was implying, and after the conversation we had yesterday about Shouto—where she questioned the professional nature of our relationship, I didn't really care at the time. Because to me, there wasn't anything going on. There still isn't, but...

Now, I felt the need to justify it to her and myself, deciding it best to just give her the good old fashioned truth—well, half of it...

"Using my dildo, if you must know." I sighed satisfactorily, looking her dead in her widened eyes. "The extra large one in case you want more details. Oh, it was also ribbed for more pleasure."

It was now that Mai dropped her sickly sweet act, scrunching her nose as she set her laptop on the table with a loud thud. "Disgusting." She huffed, trying to ignore my presence now. "Have some class, Lani."

And now the roles had reversed and I couldn't help but use her agitation to my advantage, screeching the legs of my chair obnoxiously closer to her across the office floor.

"Ah, you don't use them?" I played dumb, watching her roll her eyes as she kept them on her laptop. "Explains why you're so tightly wound all the time. Sounds like you need to get laid."

I crept closer and finally she showed her true, cranky colors, elbowing me away from her before fixing her hair.

"Some of us are saving themselves for marriage." She puffed up her curls, causing me to wave her off dismissively.

"Yeah, but that only works if someone can actually stomach marrying you first. That's gonna be the hard part." I whispered condescendingly, watching her eye starting to twitch with losing patience.

She hummed with that last thread of artificial sweetness, abruptly turning to me and making me back up a little from such a mean mug.

"Haven't you heard the saying? No man wants another's dirty laundry?" She asked, looking me up and down. "You should really keep that in mind the next time you spread your legs—which will probably be five minutes from now."

The fatigued dark circles under my eyes became heavier as the smirk cracked on my face, losing my wit and charm to the moment. "Yeah, well haven't you heard the saying that says you're a bitch? Cause I sure have."

"You're trash, Lani." Mai seethed, gritting her teeth as I leaned closer.

"Am I? Well, at least I'm honest about it, unlike you-"

The door flew open, causing Mai and I to jump before quickly separating, clearing our throats and pretending to innocently type away on our computers. But, boss Yuna was too perceptive for that. Her heels stopped clacking as she looked between Mai and I, forming a devious 'oh' from her lips at the sight.

"Ooo, am I sensing a cat fight in here?" Yuna gasped in mock awe. "What is it, ladies? Is the tension of hero season getting to you now? How exciting. I love when the interns tear each other apart."

"No, Ma'am!" Mai's charm instantly warmed back onto her face, causing me to grunt unattractively and slouch in reply.

Yuna hummed unconvinced, deeming Mai a liar, yet not caring as she waved the situation off, plopping into her desk chair with a huff.

"We'll pretend that's believable. Okay, you two. Let's get to it. Mai, I see here that Mr. Bakugo is out of town for the week on a mission with Deku, so we can exempt you from progress report today." She read through the notes on her own laptop, causing the pink haired girl to look at me gloatingly. "Lani, you're up then. How did it go with Mr. sexy Shouto last night, hm? Did he charm his way into your pants, or what? Knowing you, I'm sure it's not hard."

I huffed tiredly as Mai let out a smug 'hmph' of victory for Yuna's snide comment, wondering why everyone and their mother thinks I'm a hoe. Can a girl not enjoy her dildo and clit suckers in peace?

But, in these circumstances, I couldn't deny the cold sweat that began to prick the back of my neck, trying to push the questionable events of last night out of my mind as best I could.

"W-What? No, please." I overplayed it out of panic, waving Yuna off. "Shouto couldn't charm a sandwich."

It was the wrong approach as my personal feelings were mixing with the job I was supposed to be doing, forgetting the role I was meant to play.

Yuna's face fell slightly, immediately becoming unimpressed. "Oh? So you're saying the evening was unsuccessful?"

Fuck. I didn't mean to downplay it like that!

"Huh?—no. No." I quickly sat up in my chair, trying to separate the jumbled thoughts in my head. "That's not what I'm saying at all. It was, uh, very successful. He did great. Amazing, actually. He's a total lady killer now. Literally couldn't be better."

And now I've overplayed it. Agh, I'm usually a lot more smooth than this. I need to get it together.

Yuna let out a small hum of suspicion before typing some notes on her computer. "Hm, alright. Well, I'm glad to hear that." She said, giving me a smile over her laptop. "Because I've just called UA University to send him up to the office."

My heart immediately jumped out of my chest now—and I hated the way my stomach flipped with butterflies. I only realize now it's been doing that much longer than just today. I never noticed. Or, maybe it was just that I didn't wanna believe it.

And, while seeing Shouto every single day had become part of my daily routine, today was the one day I wasn't okay with that.

"W-What? This office?" I looked towards the closed door nervously, starting to fidget in my seat. "Uh.....heh, why?"

Yuna's lips curled with a slightly devious smirk as she turned back to her computer, navigating to a specific page. "Because it's time for the next part of our plan, and he needs to be present for it."

I chuckled tensely—only now aware of the way I didn't comb through my hair properly this morning, or the way I was too tired to put on makeup. Would Shouto notice? God, it doesn't matter. We're colleagues.

And, yet, I subtly smoothed out my hair and tried to flatten out the wrinkles of my dress shirt, mentally reprimanding myself for each unnecessary action. I hate feelings. But, more than that, I hate how Shouto and I left things last night—definitely my fault, hoping I'd have more time to compose myself before having to see him again.

"Does he really need to be present though?" I tried. "Because I'm the mastermind behind the whole lady killer Shouto thing when you think about it. Anything you're gonna tell him, you can just tell me and I'll-"

The knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, causing me to quickly sit up and freeze.

Fuck. Here we go.

"Ah, there he is." Yuna ignored me, quickly calling out, "Come in, Shouto."

I fought back a grimace as the door creaked open, and my heart rate skyrocketed. Even from the slow, unsure way he opened the door, I could tell it was him, and suddenly I felt like a coward, too afraid to even look near the entrance.

I've never been this type of person. I've never had a problem hooking up with someone and looking them in the eyes the next day.

Except, we never hooked up, and this was Shouto. He always noticed everything about me. His eyes never lied. And his touch was always so gentle.

His soft footsteps padded throughout the room, and I should have known he wouldn't give a standard greeting to Mai and Yuna—or, say anything for that matter, hearing him shift back and forth on his feet near the entrance.

Yuna immediately gasped and rose from her chair, placing a hand over her mouth as she strutted over to him. "My, my! It's true what they say, you are much more handsome in person. I'd take you for a ride myself if I could." She winked, causing me to come out of my shock and look at her with disbelief.

As expected, Shouto was unfazed. "Oh?" He asked cluelessly. "What kind of car do you drive?"

I face palmed and sighed for the fuckery of this situation, hearing Yuna giggle and fawn over him like she was just another one of his fans.

"Lani! He's adorable!" She gawked, touching Shouto's shoulder and causing him to tense up. "Go have a seat right there, honey."

The space she pointed to was conveniently the empty one next to me, and why wouldn't she? He's my client, and this entire thing is supposed to be nothing but professional. Duh...

But, for some reason, I still couldn't look at him as he approached my line of sight, suddenly finding the ceiling so incredibly interesting to look at instead.

And, Shouto being Shouto, of course he didn't understand. I felt his gaze on me before he hesitantly looked up at the ceiling, too, searching for something that wouldn't ever be found.

"Um....what are we looking at?" He kept his eyes to the ceiling, causing my heart to jump in embarrassment before I quickly snapped my gaze back down.

"I saw a big bug." I excused unbothered, hoping everyone didn't see right through me.

Shouto nodded and glanced up at the ceiling one more time, furrowing his brows when the invisible bug was never found. "Oh." He said, looking at the empty chair so close next to mine. "Do you....want me to scoot over-"

Yes.

"No." I said, gesturing for him to sit. "This—fine. It's fine."

It's not.

Shouto simply nodded, his mouth moving silently like he wanted to say more before he settled for taking a seat instead. The seat was too close, which I already knew, feeling his knee knock into mine. I could feel Yuna and Mai studying the two of us closely, causing me to internally reprimand myself for acting so damn weird.

"Well, Shouto, I was so glad to hear last night's shenanigans were a success." Yuna said, causing my eyes to barely widen at how suggestive that sounded.

"The—what?-" Shouto asked in confusion before Yuna had already moved on.

"And now it's time for the next part of your plan. A little inclusion of my own." She said deviously, immediately pointing to the front of the room. "Take a look at the projector screen, everyone."

Me, Shouto, and Mai looked at the screen as it flipped on, revealing the CUPID dating logo that was now staring us in the face. Mai and I groaned softly as this wasn't the first time something like this has happened. Where Yuna calls the two of us into her office to help her find her next fuck buddy for the night. Gross...

But, after getting a better look at the screen, my blood froze. Because it wasn't Yuna's face I saw plastered all over the sight. It was Shouto's.

Oh...

Shit...

"Uhhh, what is this..." I asked dreadfully knowing.

Yuna looked proud as she navigated to the account profile, gesturing to it grandly. "I wanted to throw my own hat in the ring and see how we could make things interesting, so I made Shouto and Bakugo their own online dating accounts!" She said, causing Shouto and I to make the same blank face.

"Online....dating..." We murmured in the same confused monotone, causing me to grit my teeth and facepalm in annoyance for the bad habits I was starting to pick up from him.

"Starting with Shouto, take a look. I grabbed some of the pictures you two posted on his Instagram and put them here. He's already got over 40,000 hits!" Yuna practically swooned, scrolling further down the fake profile. "Oh, and look at his bio. I came up with it myself—looking for someone who enjoys long walks on the beach, and also long nights in the bedroom, wink wink! Isn't that so hot?!"

I sighed softly and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to get my words together before Shouto's voice surprised me.

"Um. I don't really understand the point." He uttered bluntly, causing Yuna to flinch in impatient confusion.

"What?—The point is to pick to pick a suitor, sweet Shouto. Today, we are going to find you a date." She said in a slightly slower voice that irritated me.

But, I held my tongue because she was my boss, glancing over at Shouto to try and read his look. He said nothing more though, looking at the profile in bewildered silence as he tried to absorb it for himself.

After a long awkward silence—that probably wasn't awkward for him—Yuna scrolled to the settings page of his profile. "I'm going to set the location preferences to this area only, and it will give us all the single woman currently within ten miles of this building." She said, eagerly waiting for the screen to refresh and show the first candidate.

And I hated this. I fucking hated this—not only the online dating profile in general, but the fact it was so exploited and publicized. This is out of Shouto's comfort level. It's not just him and I in my apartment talking things out. Now Yuna is getting involved, and she doesn't have the tolerance for Shouto's personality. Not only that...

Yuna doesn't care about Shouto. And I feel uncomfortable when she takes the situation out of my hands.

So I continued to bite my tongue and rub the back of my neck as the first girl came on the screen, feeling my heart dropping to the pit of my stomach as the reality of the situation became more real. She had long black hair and stunning blue eyes. She was beautiful.

"What about her?" Yuna asked, causing my eyes to fall into my lap with growing discomfort.

And I could feel Shouto's discomfort, too, feeling him glance at me like he wanted help. But, I couldn't give it, continuing to look at my lap and forcing him to answer.

"Um. What...about her?" He asked, fidgeting in his chair slightly as Yuna pressured him.

"Do you like her?" She questioned, making my heart flutter.

The room went so silent, you could hear a pin drop as Shouto was more confused than anything else, seeming as if he was using the time to find his words instead of decide on if he liked this girl.

"Oh. Well....I don't know her-" He tried before Yuna overpowered him again.

"Right, and you don't have to. She's pretty though, right?" She practically prompted him to say yes.

I felt the annoyance in my chest festering at the way she continued to talk over him and push him around. This isn't how Shouto likes to prepare for hero season. He has specific things that work, and things that are too overwhelming, too much for him. Being talked at makes him shut down.

He said nothing, and I saw Yuna's mouth open again before I couldn't stay silent any longer. "If he liked her, he'd say so. Please move on." My words came out a little dryly, causing her smile to fall slightly.

I could feel the heat of speaking up piercing me through her glare, knowing the only reason she chose to ignore my comment was because Shouto was in the room and she wanted to make a good impression.

Her lips scrunched tightly as she declined the beautiful girl without a word, landing on the next one. "Hmph, okay. What about this one? What do you like about her?" Yuna reworded her question.

She's manipulating and calculating, already trying to tune her way around Shouto and make him do what she wants. It's uncomfortable, and I don't like it.

Shouto glanced at me again, and this time I looked back at him, giving a small, stiff smile that was meant to be reassurance. He sighed, looking back at the next girl on the screen.

"I....I don't really-"

"Pick one thing you like about her." Yuna demanded less politely this time, giving Shouto a look that meant she was serious.

And while he's not good at reading social cues, he seemed to sense her tone from my own discomfort, watching the way my shoulders tensed up before he quickly glanced at the girl with purpose now.

"Uh...okay." He mumbled, studying the girl closely before settling on something. "Her hair. I like that her hair has blonde pieces in the front and dark brown pieces everywhere else." He said, causing my heart to jump a little.

Because that was just a coincidence, right? That he chose to pick that particular thing from a stranger? Saying it's because I have the same hairstyle would be bogus. It would be bogus and out of touch. Right? To think Shouto would ever like something on someone else just because I have it, too.

Why would he ever? When there's so many better people out there?

Yuna didn't seem to notice the similarities either as she was more focused on her win, grinning widely before pressing the little heart on the screen. "Alright, good enough for me! Ah! You two matched! But, let's keep it going!"

Shouto and I sighed in a mixture of relief and stress for having satisfied her, both looking at the next girl that came on the screen. My brows raised as you couldn't even see her face in the pic, just her tits—which, hey, were admittedly damn nice. Look, I'm an honest woman, alright?

"What about her?" Yuna asked. "Her boobs are huge, right?"

Shouto rubbed the back of his neck, just trying to survive through the meeting. "Um. Right?" He said, causing my brows to raise in a bit of surprise.

"What?" I blurted out, giving him a slight side eye.

He swallowed heavily and looked at me now, alternating his gaze from the screen to my face like he didn't know what to do.

"What? Well—I mean—no-" He tried to backtrack before Yuna attacked him now.

"No? But you just said yes!" She said in exasperation.

Shouto was thoroughly confused at this point, glancing between Yuna and I as he tried to find the best answer. But, Yuna didn't give him a chance, taking the silence as her opportunity of victory.

"Alright, we'll swipe on her, too, then. Let's do one more for the fun of it." She grinned, letting the screen refresh to the next girl.

I looked at it tiredly, not knowing what I was expecting, but certainly not the person who came up. My heart leapt out of my chest as silver hair and tan skin flashed across the screen, met with those dark blue and blood red eyes I was growing to despise more by the day.

It was Ella's face that flashed across the screen, causing my emotions to get the better of me the way they never do as I blurted out, "What!?"

The room, including Shouto, looked over at me in question for my outburst before the half and half guy blinked a few times. "What?" He repeated with a more clueless tone, only making me more bewildered.

I sighed tensely at Shouto's usual obliviousness. "What do you mean 'what?' You know who that is, don't you?" I gestured to the screen, watching him quirk a brow.

"No?"

It was a mistake to keep the conversation, given the other two demons in the room, but I couldn't help myself. "Shouto, it's Ella. You know, the girl from the bar? The girl who....messaged you the other day." I tried to be vague with Yuna and Mai in the room.

The girl from the bar, and also the girl who tried to tell Shouto I had a boyfriend. Which, looking back, I almost cringe at how quickly I denied the claim, so fucking set on letting Shouto know I was single. Ugh. Feelings are disgusting.

He studied her face for a few more seconds before letting out a small 'oh' of realization, seeming much less interested than I was. "Oh. I guess it is."

I nodded and attempted to speak before Yuna spoke over me. "Ah, and you know her?—and you've been out with her a few times?" She asked eagerly, instantly causing my heart to drop.

Because I know that look in her eyes, and I can already see where this is going. And it was only another grim reminder that this was the whole point of hero season. The whole point of Shouto and I.

He's meant to rise to the top and leave me behind. He's meant to date people and be the object of the world's affections. A world I have no place in. And I never cared before. Hell, I always did whatever I could to ensure my heroes did surpass my place and the rest of the world's, wanting them as untouchable as ever if it meant I got more cash in my hands.

This is why you can't let feelings get in the way. Because, my feelings are in the way, and they jeopardize Shouto's success. Selfishly, I don't care. I don't care if it's his job, I don't care if it will make him more popular. I don't care about anything else but stopping this. And, in this business? That is completely and utterly wrong.

"Well, I'd hardly say they know each other-" I tried before Yuna was already working her magic.

"Good enough for me." She sang before tapping the heart and gasping. "Oh! It's a match!"

"God damn it." I groaned in exasperation, letting myself slip a little too much today.

Yuna's victory grin immediately faltered at my words, letting her impatience for me today finally get the better of her as she looked at me with threat. "Is there a problem, Lani?" She asked, leaving no room for any problem to truly be present.

I felt Shouto's eyes on me and I cleared my throat, surprised at how dry my mouth had gone. It's unusual that I'm at a loss for words, but my brain was mush as I grasped at the only straw I could think of.

"What?—Well—what about....Tit Girl? She seemed real great-" I attempted before those annoying pink curls bounced from next to me.

"I beg to differ." Mai interrupted smugly, sensing my discomfort with Ella. "I think Ella is perfect, Yuna. Her and Shouto would make such a hot couple."

"Mai-" I growled before Yuna tapped her hand on her desk with finality.

"I couldn't agree more, Mai. So it's settled!" She exclaimed. "Shouto and Ella will be the new hot couple of the season. I'll make sure of it."

****

A/N: bad habits will be on break next week. You guys can read ahead on Patreon as always. Otherwise I'll see you Feb 10th