Top pic credit: unknown. Tell me if you know

After press pictures and the ceremonial speeches of the Pro Hero JP Ball....it was time for the after party.

Kamui has been trying to lay the moves on me all night, and I was getting really sick of it. I'm flattered that he thinks I look nice tonight, but he's making it way too obvious about what he really wants.

The booming of the music quickly got my attention, as Kamui and I entered the giant, swanky hotel where the after party was being held.

My brows raised in shock at the scene. It looked like an episode of "heroes gone wild" in here. Maybe it's because the press and cameras weren't allowed in the venue, so the heroes felt like they could let lose a little? Either way, seeing Cementoss twerking on a table is a sight I hope I never have to witness again.

"Ari!" Nejire called, quickly grabbing my attention.

I turned around...giving her a relieved smile, along with a hug.

"Hey!" I said to her, feeling Kamui touch my side.

"I'm going to get us some drinks. Talk with your friends." He said to me, before walking off.

The guy's telling me to talk to my friends? Psh, didn't know I needed his permission....

"Woah..." Nejire snickered, once Kamui was out of earshot.

"I know. He's so serious. It's a little overbearing, honestly." I sighed, finally feeling like I could breathe now that he was gone.

"Yeah, yeah. Enough about that. How's it going with Hawks." She said eagerly, grinning from ear to ear.

I groaned slightly, looking over at Hawks who was currently chatting up some of the other pro heroes. He had his charm going in full effect tonight.

"It isn't. But, that's okay. Because you and I are here, and we are going to have a good time." I smiled, trying to stay positive.

Nejire laughed at my forced attempt to have fun, waving to Kamui as he came back over.

"That's the spirit. You two have fun!" She exclaimed, as he dragged me away.

"Here. I got you some fruity thing. It's alcohol free." Kamui said softly, handing me the drink.

"Thank you." I smiled, taking a sip.

The song in the room suddenly changed, causing Kamui to grab my drink out of my hand and set it down.

Wasn't done with it. But okay then-

"Wanna dance?" He asked, already leading me over to the dance floor.

"Well..." I started saying, when my eye caught Keigo...who was laughing and spinning Kiara around on the dance floor.

"Absolutely!" I exclaimed to Kamui, picking up our pace to get dancing.

I know what you're thinking...

I look desperate. Petty. Jealous. But, that's only because.....I was all of those things right now.

The guy I was head over heels for, rejected me for someone else. Yes, that's reality. There are MUCH bigger issues in the world. But, it hurts a little. And yes, maybe it's not like me to go and use a guy to make another guy jealous. I didn't think I was capable of that level of manipulation.

But, that's just how I was feeling tonight. Is it wrong? Probably. In my defense though, I have an open mind...and if Kamui wasn't such a dickhead, we could have actually enjoyed the night together. As friends.

The booming music rang throughout my ears. I'm not one for the club scene. I usually prefer something low key, over grinding, sweaty bodies...but, not bad to get yourself out there every once in a while....I tell myself.

Kamui immediately placed his hands on my hips as we began swaying to the music.

I heard Kiara giggling a few feet away, as Keigo began doing some weird hip swivel thing on the dance floor.

I bit my lip to hide my laughs at his funny moves, before feeling Kamui pull my body closer to his.

I turned my attention back to him, giving a soft smile.

"Man, I'm a lucky guy. I've got the hottest date here." He whispered in my ear, as his hands traveled lower down my waist.

I grabbed his hands, not wanting them to travel any lower down my body.

"Don't make me blush." I chuckled, moving in rhythm with the music.

"I think I will." He mused, before he was smacked in the head with big red wings.

"Whoops! Sorry, Kamui. Didn't see ya there, buddy. Hey, let's switch partners for a song, yeah?!" Keigo suggested, coming up next to us.

Not releasing his grip on me, Kamui tried dismissing him.

"I don't think so, Bird Boy. I've got a partner who will satisfy my needs right here-"

"I think that's a great idea, Hawks! One song won't hurt, right?" I stated firmly, squirming out of Kamui's arms to get to Keigo.

Kiara immediately slid into my previous place, ogling Kamui and his body.

"Fine. One song." He mumbled, turning his attention to Kiara now.

Keigo grabbed my hand, trying to lead us as far away from our dates as possible.

Like all cliché romance stories, of course the next song that came on was a slow song.

"May I have this dance, my lady?" Keigo stated over formally, that typical shit eating grin plastered across his face.

"My knight in shining armor." I teased, shaking my head in amusement. My arms snaked around his neck.

He placed his hands on my waist, still keeping me at a modest length away from his body.

"So, how's it going with Mr. Tree over there?" He smirked, keeping his gaze focused on me.

I couldn't help but laugh, feeling my body veering closer to his.

"I'm sure you can see how it's going." I groaned, giving him a deflated look.

"Mhmm. Well, Kiara's a hell of a time, if you can't tell. Yeah. Did you know I was the number two hero? I almost forgot. Thank god I have her to remind me of it every ten seconds." He grinned, subtly pulling me closer to him.

I let out a sigh of comfort, finally feeling at ease for the first time all night. Now, I was enjoying myself.

"At least we look good." I reassured casually, trying to look on the bright side.

I didn't realize how close we had gotten to each other, until my chest pressed up against him.

Keigo was looking down at me, those golden orbs shining brightly.

"Yeah. Kamui's a lucky guy." He mumbled softly, fully wrapping his arms around me now.

"That's sweet of you to say." I said blankly, averting my gaze to the side.

He's just being friendly. Don't read into it any more than that.

It was quiet for a moment, before Keigo spoke up.

"No, Ari. I mean that." He sighed out tiredly, immediately stopping the rest of his sentence. His breath smelled of alcohol slightly.

Clearly, he didn't mean to say that. He's been drinking tonight. He wasn't full out drunk, but he was definitely on his way there.

"Thank you." I simply stated, trying not to escalate this conversation further.

It was quiet for a moment, as I remained lost in thought.

Don't say it, Ari. Don't say it.

"Kamui wasn't my first choice for a date, you know." I mumbled, mentally facepalming at my words.

You dumb bitch. You said it.

"Just like Kiara wasn't my first choice, either." He blurted out, his words slurred ever so slightly. Clearly, he was a little more tipsy than I thought.

"What are you saying?" I asked firmly, wanting him to clarify so I wouldn't jump to conclusions.

Keigo muttered profanities under his breath, before releasing me from his embrace.

"Fucking hell-you know what I'm saying, Ari. Look, just forget it." He said dismissively, blowing me off to go find Kamui and Kiara.

What the fuck?

I quickly followed him through the sweaty mess of bodies, wanting more clarification than that.

"No. I don't know what you're saying, and I don't want to forget about it. Tell me what you're thinking, Keigo." I stated firmly, grabbing him by the arm.

He groaned out in annoyance lightly, quickly shrugging me off.

"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." He replied blankly, quickly grabbing Kiara.

I watched him walk off the dance floor with Kiara, hating the way that interaction went.

I grit my teeth, running a hand through my hair, as Kamui came back over.

"Hey. Everything okay?" He asked, grabbing my hand.

Okay. I'm so not in the mood for this anymore.

"Yeah, Kamui. Everything's fine. Listen, I think I'm gonna take off. I'm feeling pretty tired from the night. But, I had fun. Thanks for a great night!" I stated politely, already starting to walk away.

He quickly grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

"Wait, wait, wait." He groaned out.

I sighed softly, trying not to be rude as I waited for him to continue.

"Look. I know this hasn't been the best night for you. I can see that you've got an eye for someone else." He started off, motioning to Keigo and Kiara...who were talking to each other in very close proximity at the bar.

I directed my attention back to Kamui, quickly trying to forget about Keigo.

"Hawks and I are just friends-" I started, before he cut me off.

"I know that. Well, I mean...I know that's what he believes." He stated vaguely.

I furrowed my brows in confusion, not understanding his words.

"What are you trying to say?" I asked curiously.

"Ari, listen....you're young. You're free. You're probably the type to love hard, and all of that other stuff. But, I know Hawks. We used to hang out together. This is what he does. He uses women...strings them along, until they give him what he wants. He's good at it, too...the waiting game, I mean. He'll make you feel special, for as long as it takes. He'll tell you everything you want to hear, to get you in his bed. But, that's all it is with him. Just sex." Kamui explained, shrugging his shoulders.

I rolled my eyes not wanting to hear this.

"Funny. He said the same thing about you." I retorted about to walk off again, before I was stopped.

"I'm sure he did. Because he wants to use you for his own benefit. Don't believe me? Maybe this will help...I'm talking to you right now, trying to stop you from leaving so we can get to know each other better. Meanwhile, lover boy over there has his tongue down Kiara's throat, right after he just danced with you." Kamui said, turning me around and pointing towards the bar.

My eyes landed on Kiara and Keigo, who were still at the bar.

Only now, they were making out.

It wasn't a little, insignificant peck, like the one I saw at the Hawks Agency a few weeks ago. No.

He was reciprocating. Gladly reciprocating.

Kiara had her fingers tangled in his hair, while Keigo had his hands resting on both sides of her face. Their lips moved together in lustful sync.

And wow, did it hurt me...

I felt my heart breaking, swallowing thickly as I forced myself to look away.

I grit my teeth together to stop the quiver trying to creep through my lip. I could feel my brows furrowing together in sadness. Like I said, I need to work on my poker face.

"I knew you liked him. I can see it all over your face." Kamui sighed, giving me a look of pity.

Not wanting to cry in front of Kamui Woods, I quickly cleared my throat and composed myself.

"I-I need to go." I croaked out, about to leave for a final time, before Kamui stopped me once more.

"Yeah. You could go....or, you could forget." He suggested, pulling Kiara's flask out of his suit and dangling it in front of my face.

I looked at the flask blankly, debating my next move.

Don't do something stupid, Ari. Don't be so impulsive.

I sighed deeply, looking up at the flask Kamui was holding.

"Gimme that."