Top pic credit: Disco.Panchi

"Oh yeah? And why should I believe you?" Keigo asked firmly, glaring into my eyes.

I cleared my throat, knitting my brows together as I tried to be intimidating.

"B-Because......I.....said so." I mumbled unsurely, losing my fire in this argument.

Keigo immediately broke his intimidating character, laughing softly at my attempt to be tough.

I couldn't help but laugh with him, rolling my eyes at my failed practice run.

"See? I told you I was bad at this. I'm not good at manipulating people. I have the worst poker face. You know that." I countered, lying back on the soft grass.

It was Keigo and I's last day at my parents house, and besides that small tiff about Sam and Diane, it has actually been a really nice weekend. Keigo and my parents have gotten to know each other a little more. Plus, we've actually been able to display some real pda, for the first time since we've been a couple. It's nice being in a place where people know we're actually dating. There's finally no pressure to pretend and hide our feelings.

Right now, Keigo and I were relaxing in the front yard, working on my manipulation skills before lunch.

My plan was to confront Diane about her unfair treatment towards me, and use her broken promise of speaking with Sam, as leverage to cut me some slack at the hero commission. I'm supposed to make her see how good she has it with me. Of course, Keigo pretty much came up with this plan all on his own, and I was grateful.

I wanted to confront Diane, I just didn't know how, and Keigo is helping guide the way to a little more freedom for myself.

Keigo laid back on the grass with me, rolling over onto his side so his wings would be more comfortable.

"Nah, it's not that bad, chicky. Hmm, let's think about how to fix it. For starters, I can always tell when you're nervous about something, by the way you twiddle your thumbs. Yeah. You always do the same motion of directing your eyes to the floor, and then automatically twiddle your thumbs at the same time. When you're trying to persuade someone to believe you, you need to give them straight on eye contact. You need to relax your movements, and appear practically still." He instructed lightly, looking up at the puffy clouded sky.

I nodded, intently taking in his words.

Damn, he's absolutely right. I did twiddle my thumbs and look at the ground. Just like my brother did, whenever he lied. Keigo's perceptive.

"Okay, I got it. Let's try again." I said eagerly, rolling on my side to face him.

Keigo smiled lazily, clearing his throat as he got back into Diane's character.

"Okay, Ari. Why should I give you more free time, away from the hero commission? I do a lot for you. You know that." Keigo retorted firmly, using an exact line Diane has actually told me before.

I let out a small breath as I gathered my thoughts, forcing myself to meet Keigo's eyes.

Relaxing my body, and my thumbs....I spoke slowly and confidently.

"W-Well-"

"No stuttering. She can smell fear. Try it again." Keigo quickly coached, before nodding to me reassuringly.

"Well, I do a lot for you, Diane. I do a lot for you, and I deserve to be treated better than this. You and I made a deal, and.....uhhh...." I trailed off, immediately hitting a brain block as I lost my train of thought.

"Uh? I'm afraid I, Diane, don't understand that word." Keigo mused, trying to stay in character so I could get my fire back.

I lightly rolled my eyes, trying to continue.

"What I'm trying to say, is that I don't appreciate you talking to my family behind my back. I need you to...see how valuable I-I am...?" I groaned, already knowing that statement was a total bust.

Keigo knew it too, yet decided to mess with me a little more.

"Oh, okay. Well, when you put it like that, it all makes sense. Also, I heard you're dating Keigo. What do you have to say about that?" He asked, a small smirk present on his face.

I shot him a light glare of amusement, deciding to continue with his fun.

"Hm, that guy? No way, Diane. He's much too obnoxious for my taste." I grinned, letting out a fake scoff.

A mischievous glint shone in his eyes now, as he placed a hand on my waist.

"Ah, is that so? Well, Ari...take my advice. You should really snatch him up. I heard that Keigo's a total hit with the ladies. Some may even say he's a sex god." He countered casually, causing me to crack up.

"Oh? Is that what Diane is thinking? I hope not." I giggled, finally breaking character in our little exercise.

Keigo laughed, before pulling me into his arms, so we were face to face.

"Oh boy, little dove. You're worse at this, than I thought!" He exclaimed, giving my hair a playful ruffle.

"See, I told you I was bad! I can't be manipulative, or persuasive.....and I definitely can't be intimidating." I mumbled, picking a stray piece of grass out of his fluffy, blonde locks.

Keigo lightly rubbed my sides, shaking his head in denial.

"Not true. You're very intimidating. You scared the shit out of me, for two weeks straight, when you first arrived as my intern. I had to tame you with food bribes, remember?" He grinned, his smile only getting wider upon seeing me laugh.

"Oh, I remember. I gained like ten pounds in the first month of working for you...between the constant lunches you'd treat me to, or the little pastries you'd leave on my desk first thing in the morning." I scoffed in amusement, lazily hooking my leg over his waist.

"I was trying to win your heart, chicky. I saw the way you looked at food, and I wanted you to look at me that way. Gimme a break!" He pouted softly, leaning in for a chaste kiss.

I pulled away from his kiss a moment later, groaning in annoyance with myself.

"But it's different with you, Keigs. Yes, you pushed my buttons when we first met, but I think deep down...I always knew you were a good guy. I felt comfortable with you, right from the start. Diane...Diane scares me. She always has." I sighed in defeat, not sure I'd be able to stand up to her, after all.

Keigo lightly pursed his lips in thought, trying to think of a way to get through to me.

"It's no different, chicky. Sure, you're more comfortable with me...but Diane is just another human being. Don't build her up in your head so much. Don't give her all that power. She's not that special." He reassured, giving me a small smile.

Keigo's got a point. Diane is just a person, but while that may be true, technically....I think it's an idea I haven't quite built up in my head, mentally. I still see her as someone who is above me. Better than me, and more powerful. I'll need to work on this more, before I speak with her. I need more time.

I let out a small sigh of defeat, feeling the cool, mountain breeze lightly tickle my face.

"Let's just...take a break." I suggested, studying his face.

He looked good today. It was one of the rare times I got to see him in casual clothes...no headphones, or aviators. No flight jacket, or signature "Hawks" smiles. It was just Keigo Takami in some joggers and his favorite Endeavor shirt.

"Fine, fine. We can take a break. But, before we do...let me just give you some things to think about, for next time. Number one, when trying to convince someone of your truth, always control the tone of your voice. Usually, if your voice comes out higher than usual, you'll look suspicious. Number two, don't necessarily state the obvious answer, when asked a question. It's not a bad thing to say the unexpected...throw people off your trail. Number three, consistency. Once you say something, even if you regret it, stick with it. Confidently. Surely. It's already been spoken, now it's your job to convince people you're right." Keigo explained effortlessly, surprising me with the amount of knowledge he actually had on this subject.

I raised my brows in question, noticing he was too wrapped up in looking at the clouds to really even notice how much he just told me.

Wow. If I'm being honest, it comes as a little bit of a shock that Keigo knows so much about manipulating people. It was obvious that he knew how to work a crowd....but I didn't think he had this much skill with it.

....hah, it's almost like he was manipulating me into thinking he's more naive than he really is-

What?!? No. No, he wouldn't do that. This is Keigo we're talking about. I need to stop overthinking things.

I laughed slightly, trailing my finger on his stubbled chin to grab his attention.

Keigo lazily directed his gaze back to me, pulling me closer against his body at my actions.

"Damn, Keigs. You sure know a lot about this, huh? Guess you weren't lying when you said manipulation and skills tactics were your best classes at the commission." I uttered, feeling the facial hairs on his chin pricking my fingertips.

Keigo looked at me blankly for a moment, almost as if realizing he said...too much?

He quickly shook his head, averting his gaze back to the clouds.

"Hm? Me? Nah. I mean....well, if you wanna know the truth...I was a pretty shy kid, so the commission had to work extra hard in making me presentable to the public." Keigo stated, his voice coming out honestly.

The words played in my head again....

"No one likes a timid boy." That's what Keigo said.

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

".....so what you're really saying, is the commission had to work extra hard to make you into someone you're not." I blurted out, pressing my lips together in slight regret.

Ugh, you said it.

The light in Keigo's warm, golden eyes immediately dulled upon hearing my words, making my heart shatter.

"A-Ah, Keigo. I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It was a stupid thing-"

"You're right." He said softly, keeping his eyes focused on the clouds.

I remained quiet, taking in the quiet tone of his voice. The thoughtful look in his eyes. Clearly, he was reminiscing on something from his past.

Keigo's eye twitched softly, in what appeared to be emotional pain, before he directed his gaze back to me.

"Ari....I'm not a good man." Keigo stated clearly, giving me a sad smile.

I was completely taken aback by such a statement, wondering how Keigo could even say something like that.

"What in the world are you talking about? You're one of the best people I know." I reassured, caressing his cheek softly.

Keigo kept my eye contact, blankly staring into my eyes as he allowed me to touch his face.

Once again, I couldn't read him right now. I couldn't read that emotionless look in his eyes. That look of mystery...the look that almost makes him look like a broken man.

"And what if I wasn't?" He whispered weakly, his look slowly forming into one of sadness.

I furrowed my brows in confusion, not understanding where this sudden heavy conversation was coming from.

"What do you mean, Keigo?" I asked soothingly, studying his face in concern.

He was quiet for a moment, as he lightly pressed his lips together....not knowing how to speak his thoughts.

"...I-It's just-well, you said...I'm one of the best people you know. I'm just saying...what if I wasn't one of the best people you know? What if I'm not as good as you think I am? How would you feel about me, then?" He barely uttered out, suddenly pulling me impossibly closer to him, like what he just said would make me disappear.

Keigo's insecure. He doesn't want to admit it, but I know he is. That's probably where this whole thing is coming from. He's just not giving himself enough credit. That's all this is.

"Keigo..." I whispered gently, leaning in to kiss him.

He immediately grabbed my face, connecting our lips almost desperately. I could feel the emotion behind his kiss, I could sense him trying to memorize everything about this moment. The way he touched me...the look on his face, the way his brows furrowed together in focus...the passionate way his lips moved against mine.

It wouldn't have been overwhelming to me, if I knew where this sudden behavior was coming from.

"Mm, Keigo. Keigo, wait." I mumbled against his lips, pulling away slightly.

He let out a soft breath, closing our distance slightly to silently tell me he wanted more.

He barely grazed my lips with his own, giving me a small opportunity to decide whether to speak or kiss him again.

Well, I made the choice....and by the way he groaned in annoyance, clearly it wasn't the one he'd been hoping for.

"What's on your mind, Keigo? Talk to me-" I mumbled, before the sound of my mom's voice interrupted us.

"Keigo! Ari! Lunch is ready-aww, you two look so adorable all tangled up in the grass like that!! Wait! Don't move, I'm going to get my phone, so I can take a picture!" My mom squealed, sprinting back into the house.

The somber demeanor in the air was broken by Keigo's soft laugh, as he lightly tapped my head with his wing.

The sad look cleared from his eyes, as that familiar warm, honey glow crept back into them.

"Nothing's on my mind, chicky. I was just thinking about the 'what ifs.' That's all." He said softly, giving my forehead a small peck.

I pursed my lips in thought, not wanting to let this topic go. It seems like Keigo and I were getting into something. Something important.

But alas, the bird boy's emotional walls had already risen again, as he only showed me his thick exterior.

"C'mon. Let's go before your mom gets back." He grinned, ruffling my hair before gently untangling my leg from around his waist.

I lay flat on my back now, absentmindedly watching him rise to his feet.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I uttered softly, as he grabbed my arms to hoist me up.

"Yes, I'm okay. I promise." Keigo smiled.

His voice was steady, and his muscles were relaxed. He looked right into my eyes, and his statement was confident.

And it was because of those things, that I knew he was lying to me.

A/N: oh boy....could Ari be starting to catch on to Keigo?👀