Top pic: KadeArt

Keigo POV: A Few Moments Earlier

"Tell me what you're thinking, Keigo." Ari demanded.

I groaned lightly in annoyance for the heavy buzz i was feeling at the moment. I wasn't all out shitfaced...but I definitely wasn't sober, either. One more drink and I'd pass the borderline of very tipsy, and graduate into full on drunk. I needed to cool it.

I turned to Ari, looking at her through half lidded eyes.

"I'm not thinking. That's the issue here, chicky. I just need to get away from you, before I do something I'll regret." I said honestly, tearing my gaze away from her as I tapped Kiara's shoulder.

"Let's go." I mumbled to her, nodding towards the fresh air that awaited us off the dance floor.

It was hot and sweaty in this part of the venue, and quite honestly...I felt a little disgusting, being crammed in between all of these grinding heroes. I'm not much for the club scene, if I'm honest. I'm more of a low key kinda guy.

"Sure!" Kiara exclaimed, dragging me off the dance floor and over to the bar.

I couldn't help but briefly overhear Ari and Kamui's conversation, as I passed her on my way to the bar.

"Look, I know this hasn't been the best night for you. I can see..." I heard Kamui say, before I was too far out of earshot to hear anything else.

Sure, I could send a feather over there, if I really wanted to...but I'm not that kind of guy. I only eavesdrop when I feel it's necessary. And Ari talking with her date is none of my business. She deserves privacy.

Still, I couldn't help but peer over in her direction, watching her and Kamui engrossed in conversation. He was speaking to her, appearing to be talking about something serious. I know this, because Ari had a very focused, intense look on her face like she was interested in what he was saying-

I was pulled from my thoughts when I felt Kiara's fingertips under my chin. She turned my head towards her, raising her brow displeased.

"Do you like her, Keigo?" Kiara asked, obviously referring to Ari.

I needed to tread carefully here. Kiara is Diane's daughter. If word gets out I'm romantically interested in Ari, it could be bad for both of us. Interns and bosses aren't allowed to be intimate with each other.

"Course I do! She's my intern. You never wanna hate your intern." I countered, ordering a water from the bartender to try and sober up.

Kiara took a sip of her cocktail, rolling her eyes at my words.

"You know what I mean." She countered back, leaning in close to me.

I took a sip of my water, immediately shaking my head.

"I don't like her in the way you're thinking of. She's not my type." I lied, forcing myself not to look back over at Ari.

Kiara smirked, biting her lip slightly, as she came inches away from my face. She was a little too close for comfort.

"Oh? And what is your type?" She whispered, trying to be seductive.

My type. What's my type?

Kiara was hot. No one could deny that. She had a nice body, and a nice face. But her personality was shit. I didn't connect with her. And sure, meaningless hookups were a phase for me in the past. If I was eighteen or nineteen, still fresh to my own fame and money, I probably would have slept with her.

But, I'm not like that anymore. Hooking up with Kiara for a night, or any other random girl for that matter, just didn't sound appealing to me. Casual sex....no strings attached...no feelings or real intimacy....I didn't want that. I wanted to feel. I wanted to connect with someone, and make them feel special. I wanted someone who accepts me for who I am. The real me. Not, Hawks...Japan's number two hero. But, me...Keigo Takami.

And I've found her. She's right over there talking to Kamui Woods.

And I've let her go.

How does that make sense, right?

And of course, I can't tell Kiara all of that.

"My type, you ask? Dunno, sweet cheeks. I don't really have just one type. I like 'em all. I love women." I smirked, flashing her my fake, charming smile.

"Hmm. That's interesting." She whispered, keeping her gaze trained on me too intensely.

Feeling a little weirded out by her suddenly strange behavior...I simply nodded, sipping my water.

"You say you like them all. But, I bet...I can get you to just like...one." Kiara cooed, her words only making me more confused.

"Not gonna lie, doll face...you're starting to sound like one who flew over the cuckoo's nest, with that talk." I remarked, before she immediately blew into my face harshly.

"Whoa, what's this? Some new kind of mating call?" I chuckled, trying to hide my sense of unease behind some laughter.

"Nope. We're just gonna play a game." She smirked, before quickly continuing.

"I haven't shown you my quirk, yet. I didn't think I'd have to. I thought you'd fall for me, after the first date if I'm being completely honest. But, you're just not into me. So, desperate times call for desperate measures, babe. If I get someone to inhale my breath, I can make them do whatever I want them to for fifteen seconds....once I snap my fingers. The rest is up to you, Keigo. But, I'm a world class kisser, so I bet that by the time these fifteen seconds are up, I'll have won you over finally." She grinned excitedly, looking like a yandere character from one of the mangas I just read the other day.

"Kiara-" I started saying, before she placed her lips on mine.

"Keigo, kiss me back." She whispered against my lips, before snapping her fingers.

As soon as she snapped her fingers, I felt my lips start moving against hers automatically. My hands went to both sides of her face, kissing her deeply.

Hmm....she got me. Well that's a little unfortunate, isn't it?

I see. So, it's almost like a spell quirk. She has total influence over anybody she wants, once they inhale her breath, and she snaps her fingers.

Damn, that's actually a pretty powerful quirk she has. But, her drawbacks are much too big to really make any use out of it-oof, her tongue just slipped into my mouth. But yeah, like I was saying...the drawbacks are way too high. For example, she can only use this quirk for fifteen seconds-ow, her teeth just smashed against mine. Little sloppy, Kiara. I'm surprised you're not better than that. Plus, she needs to get them to inhale her breath. She couldn't possibly do any fighting like that. What's she gonna do? Try to aggressively breathe on the villain/monster? Hah! I have to admit, that'd be kinda funny to see.

I heard her moaning softly into the kiss, causing me to chuckle quietly. I didn't realize she was so into it, while I'm over here thinking about the logistics of her quirk.

After a few more moments, I felt my lips stop moving on their own, allowing me to pull away.

I quickly wiped my mouth, with the sleeve of my tux, taking another sip of my water.

Kiara shot me a smirk, looking at me expectantly.

"Well. That was something, wasn't it?" I remarked casually, swirling my empty cup around with my finger.

Kiara looked at me, completely dumbfounded that I wasn't suddenly in love with her after that sloppy, god awful kiss.

She's so immature. This isn't Sleeping Beauty. Or Snow White. Or whatever that movie with the love at first kiss is called. You catch my drift? This ain't a fairytale, that's what I'm trying to say.

"Seriously?" She scoffed in disbelief.

"As serious as a heart attack." I retorted uninterestedly, subtly peering back over to where Ari and Kamui were talking-

Oh? Wait a minute. They're not there anymore.

I pursed my lips in thought...starting to scan the crowd, for the most beautiful girl in the room. But she was nowhere to be found.

Normally, I'd just assume that she'd gone back to her dorm. Then, after assuming that...I'd shoot her a quick text, apologizing for my weird behavior, and ask her if she got home okay.

Yeah. That's what I'd normally do.

However, what compelled me not to do that, was the fact that Kamui Woods was also missing. And if Ari had gone home...he'd simply sweet talk some other girl here, so he could take her home and get laid.

No. Ari and Kamui were both missing. Something wasn't right. I could feel it.

"Excuse me, Kiara." I mumbled absentmindedly, noticing she was too focused on talking to Mr. Brave who had popped up next to her.

I began casually walking around the venue, trying to spot Ari...or even Kamui. If I find him here by himself, I'd know Ari was okay.

Nothing.

Nope.

Not here, either.

"God damn it, Ari. Where are you?" I mumbled, pulling out my phone to shoot her a text.

.......

Forty-five minutes later, I spotted a bright head of long, baby blue hair. I recognized her from Ari's social media, and pictures she's shown me. That's Nejire Hado, a member of the UA Big Four with Ari, and her best friend.

"Yo, Nejire Hado." I called out casually, immediately grabbing her attention.

Her eyes widened in pure shock and excitement at the sight of me.

"H-Hawks!!? Oh my god! I can't believe I'm finally meeting you! Wow, Ari talks about you all the time. NOT that she's interested in you or anything! Hah! No, she is her own independent, beautiful woman. She's a catch for any man-" Nejire began rambling on, before I cut her off.

"Big thanks! Big thanks. Speaking of that little chickadee, have you seen Ari around lately?" I replied, shooting her my usual lazy smile.

Nejire pursed her lips in quick thought.

"Hmm. I haven't seen her for a bit. The last time I saw her was with Kamui Woods. They went out into the hallway. But, I doubt they're still there. They're probably dancing." She explained, before her date excitedly began talking to her about something.

Dancing? No. Ari didn't seem like she was in a dancing mood anymore.

I swiftly made my way out of the busy, bustling afterparty, walking out into the hallway. The music was so loud from inside, that the hallway was still booming slightly.

I looked around, watching well known heroes sneaking upstairs with each other. There weren't any cameras or press in here. But, there were a shit ton of hotel rooms. That was the time when heroes went wild. Ya think what you see on camera, is what you get with 'em? Nah. Try again. Everyone has their secrets. Even heroes.

Upstairs.

I really hope Ari isn't upstairs...

Running an anxious hand through my hair, I pondered my next course of action. Would she really be upstairs? Nah, that's not like her...

"Shit." I mumbled, making my way up the million dollar staircase to where the rooms were. I'll just check for safe measures.

Just like any other hotel, there were countless identical rooms on both sides of the hallway. And while the last thing I wanted to do was hear everyone on this fucking floor having sex, I just needed my own peace of mind that she wasn't here. I needed my own peace of mind that she was okay.

I closed my eyes, sending out my feathers to slip under each of the doorways, so I could hear what was happening.

.....Ooo. Midnight and Edgeshot!? That's a pair I thought I'd never see.

.....Mount Lady! Wash your mouth out with soap!!

....Damn, Eraserhead. Unexpected partner there, but you go bro.

.....wow. I don't even want to think about that one. Gross.

I inhaled sharply once my hearing reached the next room. That was Ari's voice.

I squeezed my eyes shut tighter at the thought of Kamui and Ari hooking up. If that's what was happening, I'd go. But, I just need to make sure she's okay first. I need to make sure Kamui isn't overstepping.

Bracing myself to hear the worst, my feathers began to decode Ari's conversation for me:

"Woooo, Kamui. I reaaally shouldn't have anymore to drink. I think I'm feeling....a little....buzzed." She slurred out.

"What? Oh come on! You haven't had that much. Take another swig, this is just starting to get interesting." Kamui said, laughing softly with Ari.

Oh. Hell. No.

I'd heard enough.