The next morning, Kenta's office phone wouldn't stop ringing.
> "Hero Commission desk, this is Kenta—"
"Hey, Kenta. Question."
"Oh no," he muttered under his breath. "What did you do this time?"
> "Relax," Hawks' voice came through, too calm to be comforting. "It's not me. Technically."
> "Technically?"
> "Yeah, so… someone might've seen me on patrol yesterday. You know—public relations stuff."
Kenta pinched the bridge of his nose.
> "Define 'public relations.'"
> "Smiling. Talking. Buying flowers."
> "You were on a date again, weren't you?"
> "Hey, hey," Hawks interrupted, grinning even through the phone. "You make it sound like a crime."
> "It is when the Hero Commission starts asking if their top agent is secretly engaged!" Kenta snapped.
There was silence. Then—
> "Wait—they think that?" Hawks said, trying not to laugh. "Oh, that's rich."
Kenta groaned, staring at the stack of reports on his desk.
> "You think this is funny? The PR division's losing their minds! They said U.A. teachers were spotted tailing you last night!"
> "Midnight and Tokoyami," Hawks admitted casually. "Cute duo, not stealthy though."
Kenta slammed his pen down.
> "Do you even realize how bad this looks? They think you're starting a civilian relationship off record!"
> "Relax," Hawks replied. "That's what you're for, right? Fixing the unfixable?"
> "You know what, I quit," Kenta muttered. "I'll just become a barista. Safer."
---
By noon, the entire Commission building was buzzing.
Reporters were sniffing for stories. PR agents whispered in corners. Someone had already leaked a blurry photo of Hawks and Aerith at the plaza.
Kenta nearly flipped his desk.
> "Oh, you've got to be kidding me! It's already online?!"
He clicked open the article:
> "Top Hero Hawks Spotted With Mystery Woman — Mission or Romance?"
Kenta rubbed his temples, muttering curses under his breath.
Then — inspiration struck.
> "Alright, you feather-brained romantic, you want cover?" he said, typing furiously. "You'll get cover."
---
An hour later, the PR division received a new, neatly written statement:
> Official Commission Response:
"The recent appearance of Pro Hero Hawks alongside a civilian is part of an interactive outreach initiative designed to encourage positive hero-citizen relations. The woman seen accompanying him was a consultant assisting in developing community trust programs."
It was perfect. Clean. Believable. Professional.
When Hawks called later, he was impressed.
> "You actually made it sound noble."
> "It is noble," Kenta shot back. "If you ignore the fact that it's complete nonsense."
> "You're the best, Kenta. Remind me to give you a raise."
> "Remind me to actually get one this time," Kenta muttered.
---
That night, Kenta finally leaned back in his chair, exhausted but victorious.
> "Crisis averted," he sighed.
Then, as if the universe hated him, his phone buzzed again. A message from Hawks.
📱 Hawks: "Hey, buddy. Need a new date plan. Something quiet. Maybe near water?"
Kenta stared at the screen, wide-eyed.
> "Oh no," he whispered. "Not again."
He typed back:
> "You're unbelievable."
Hawks replied almost instantly:
> "That's why you love me."
Kenta dropped his phone on the desk.
> "I need a new job."